Over 10,000 residents of Kikumini/Muvau ward in Makueni subcounty will benefit from desilting the Ndukuma earth dam which is being rehabilitated by Makueni county government for Sh50 million.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr said the 700,000 cubic metre-capacity dam will serve 10 villages and Wote Township saying that the dam is to be completed at the end of the month after commissioning the dam on Wednesday.

The villages to benefit include Kaseve, Nthembe, Mandoi, Miteveni, Wendo, Munyuni, Nzaai, Kiatine and Mumbuni.

Mutula said they have embarked on Phase II, constructing a water treatment plant and a water storage tank for both domestic and irrigation purposes urging the national government to fund county governments to construct dams.

He also added the move will increase food security at the county level as small- scale farmers will utilize the water to irrigate, enhancing food production and avoiding dependence on relief food.

“This is the solution to food insecurity, the county governments have the capacity to do these projects at a lower cost compared to the national government,” he said.

Speaking at the same function, the Water and Sanitation CEC Engineer John Kasyoki Kieti said that the scope of work required removal of silt and reinforcement with compacted clay to reduce seepage.

Kieti said the dam will have check dams to control the siltation. A fence will constructed and and trees will be planted sound the 58 acres.

By Jane Kibathi.