Finish the projects before El Nino, dam contractors in Tana River told

Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eng Eric Mugaa has urged dam contractors in Tana River County to expedite their work on water storage projects before the arrival of the El Nino rains. These rains could jeopardize the progress of the ongoing constructions, according to Mugaa. During the inauguration of the Extension of Konkona to Sheli water supply project and the Minjila dam in Garsen constituency, Mugaa revealed that the government has invested substantial funds into Tana River County for dam building as part of its strategy to collect rainwater.

He emphasized the importance of completing the projects promptly to harvest water for future use and mitigate flooding in certain regions due to the county's flooding-prone nature and loose soil. Two dams, costing Sh50 million each, are being built in Garsen's Minjila and Shifa, as part of the government's effort to invest in water harvesting.

Mugaa warned that time is running out, and the contractors must put additional resources and manpower into the projects to ensure they are completed before the onset of the rains. As part of the El Nino preparedness, the government has also allocated Sh100 million for constructing dikes around vulnerable communities to protect them from flooding during the rainy season.