Infrastructure
Karimenu Water Dam
The 59-metre-high dam occupies a 600-acre site.
The renowned Karimenu 2 Dam is a 59-metre-high water reservoir located in Gatundu North, Kiambu County, 75 km north of Nairobi.
The Karimenu II Dam, which sits on 600 acres, was built at Sh24 billion, jointly funded by the Government of Kenya and the China Exim Bank.
The project was implemented through a joint venture between the International Holding Corporation and the Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute.
The 26,540,000 cubic meter dam was officially opened in August 2022 after three years of work, according to a deal signed by the stakeholders in May 2017.
The Karimenu water dam is based 50km west of Thika town and supplies about 70 million liters of water daily for irrigation and domestic use.
Construction of the dam began in April 2019, but the project stalled several times following protests by residents over unsettled compensation.
RELATED: List of Ongoing Mega Dam Projects in Kenya
In August 2020, angry citizens who had not received compensation for their ancestral land expelled the contractor and threatened to occupy the site until they were compensated.
The disgruntled residents who were affected by phase two of the project accused the builder of encroaching on their land and beginning excavation works without their consent.
In phase one of the project, locals held protests that ended in the ejection of the contractor from the site, derailing a project that is expected to boost water supply in Thika, Juja, Ruiru, and parts of Nairobi.
The issues were later resolved.
FAQ
Where is Karimenu Dam located?
Karimenu Dam is located in Gatundu North, Kiambu County, 75 km north of Nairobi and 50 km west of Thika town.
How much did the Karimenu 2 dam cost?
Karimenu Dam was built for Sh24 billion, with financing from the government of Kenya and the China Exim Bank.
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