The Nakuru government has entered into a Sh15 billion partnership with Dutch water companies, Viten and Evides, to revitalize Turasha Dam and transform Lake Naivasha into a clean water source. The two companies will both finance and manage the projects. The rehabilitation of Turasha Dam is estimated to cost slightly over Sh5 billion, with the remaining Sh10 billion allocated for the development of Lake Naivasha. Governor Susan Kihika emphasized that these initiatives are aligned with sustainable development goals aimed at bringing positive and lasting change to local communities.
Governor Kihika expressed confidence that this substantial investment would significantly enhance water availability and improve socio-economic conditions in the populous county. She highlighted the extensive experience of the partnering Dutch companies, Viten and Evides, in implementing water and sanitation projects in Nakuru for more than two decades. The governor disclosed details of a closed-door meeting with the Netherlands Ambassador to Kenya, Maarten Brouwer, and VEI representatives.
VEI, according to Governor Kihika, coordinates and oversees projects sponsored by the Water for Life Foundation, and Nakuru has been a beneficiary of these efforts. Notably, five water projects, amounting to Sh167.4 billion, are currently underway in Molo, Naivasha, Nakuru peri-urban, and Rongai. Kihika also mentioned VEI’s collaboration with local water and sanitation companies, as well as their involvement in feasibility studies for Itare Dam’s last-mile connectivity.
The governor highlighted the ongoing WaterWorx project, a collaboration between Nakuru County and VEI, with the goal of providing sustainable water services to 10 million people from 2017 to 2030. She emphasized VEI’s role in water operators partnerships with Nawassco, Naivawasco, and Naruwassco, aiming to enhance local capacity, ensure sustainable water services, and create investment opportunities for underserved communities. Current projects focus on maintaining water distribution systems, reducing water losses, climate resilience planning, energy efficiency, and organizational improvement.
Governor Kihika disclosed that the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, has introduced the Water As Leverage initiative to transform Nakuru into a sponge city. This initiative concentrates on innovative solutions for water and climate challenges through infrastructure investment. Additionally, VEI is collaborating with the World Wildlife Fund Kenya on the Catchment to Tap project, a five-year initiative addressing Water Resource Management challenges
