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{
    "id": 1513185,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1513185/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 236,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Marakwet East, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Kangogo Bowen",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "The scope of the Makamini Dam includes the construction of a 12-meter high earth fill dam, with a crest length of 766 meters and a width of six meters, creating a reservoir with a capacity to harvest and store 4.2 million cubic meters of water. The project includes the treatment plan with the capacity of 2800 cubic metres per day with three water kiosks to complement the distribution lines. Regarding the contract for the design and construction of Makamini Dam, Phase one was awarded a total sum of Ksh1.3 billion and commenced on 3rd November 2020. Following the signing of the contract on 6th October 2020, the works were originally scheduled for completion in six months, that is, from 2nd November 2023. However, the approved extension of time added four months, revising the completion date to 3rd March 2024. A further 10 months extension has been requested due to the land compensation disputes potentially extending the completion date to 28th December 2024 and increasing the contract period to 15 months, subject to the resolution of land issues. Despite the challenges, the project faces a physical progress. Phase one is currently at 70 per cent. The progress was however put on hold as a result of land disputes arising from the communities around the project. I wish to bring to the attention of the House that one of the significant challenges in Makamini Dam is land issues. Originally the land earmarked for the project was a ranch, but the ownership transitioned over time creating a dispute with the local community. On 20th February 2024, the community partially stopped the construction activities when the project had achieved 63 per cent physical completion rate. Despite these challenges, the contractor managed to push the progress to 70 per cent before the complete cessation of works was enforced by the community. This stoppage has led to multiple notices and claims by the contractor for idle equipment, staff cost, price adjustment and the potential loss of profit. If work does not resume promptly, the cost associated with these claims are expected to escalate further adding to the project's financial strains. In addition, inadequate budgetary allocation and disbursement have significantly impacted on the project. For instance, in the Financial Year 2023/2024, while Ksh100 million was allocated to the project, only Ksh25 million was disbursed. There was no budget allocation made for the 2024/2025 Financial Year. To complete the project, an estimated Ksh550 million is urgently required. Regarding the measures that have been put in place, the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation has actively addressed the challenges facing the Makamini Dam as follows: To secure adequate funding, the Ministry is working closely with the National Treasury and my committee to reinstate the project budget under the Supplementary II Estimates. To resolve the compensation issues, the Coast Water Development Agency has prepared a draft Resettlement Action Plan. This Plan identifies the persons affected by the project and details including the compensation for land, crops and disturbance allowance. The Plan has been submitted to the National Land Commission which has advanced in the process by publishing two Gazette Notices, including the intent to acquire the land under Notice No.3660 of 17th March 2023, conducting public inquiries, and Gazette Number 16976 of 8th December 2023. The final valuations are nearly complete. To address the grievances, there is a grievances redress committee which was formed by the Ministry. This committee comprises representatives from the Coast Water Works Development Agency, the Kwale County Government and the County Commissioner's Office. The people in charge are the Land Commission Coordinator, the County Land Valuer and the Managing Director of the Water and Sewerage Company. Furthermore, the Coast Water Works Development Agency is engaging the local communities through the corporate social responsibility initiatives. This includes the construction of two classrooms in Makamini Primary School, which are 50 per cent complete and supplying of water to Makamini Health The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}