Nandi Forest Multipurpose Water resources development project

Project is located in Western Kenya and was identified and prepared under the Mara River Basin Project. Project interventions include construction of a water supply system providing 43,000 m³/day of treated water; development of irrigation command area of 7,000 ha, and hydropower generation capacity of 50 MW.

The Nandi Forest dam site was identified as a hydropower and irrigation dam site during the Study on the National Water Master Plan (JICA, 1992) and the Study of Integrated Regional development Master Plan for the Lake Basin Development Area (1987). The two alternative sites are situated immediately downstream of the confluence of the Kimondi and Mokong Rivers on the mainstream of the Yala River. A feasibility study was completed in November 2010 and more recently the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment report was completed in January 2011. The project includes a transfer of water out of the basin to the adjacent Great Oroba River where power is generated and the discharged water stored in another dam for irrigation of sugar cane. The project also includes a major potable water supply component to beneficiaries both within and outside the basin, fisheries and aquaculture, tourism and recreation. This study envisages the addition of watershed management and agro-processing components. Nandi Forest Dam has been designed as a Roller-Compacted Concrete (RCC) dam, with a total top length of 1,509 m and a maximum height of about 63 m; its related reservoir has a capacity of about 230 Mm³.

The irrigation infrastructure will facilitate the irrigation of an area of about 7,000 ha, which is at present mainly dedicated to small holder agriculture. A water supply system has been designed for drinking water supply to Kaimosi, Kobujoi, Chavakali, Mbele, Majengo and Kisumu. It is constituted by three pipes of 450 to 800 mm diameter. Installed capacity is 15.36 MW.

The Nandi Forest dam site was identified as a hydropower and irrigation dam site during the Study on the National Water Master Plan (JICA, 1992) and the Study of Integrated Regional development Master Plan for the Lake Basin Development Area (1987). The two alternative sites are situated immediately downstream of the confluence of the Kimondi and Mokong Rivers on the mainstream of the Yala River. A feasibility study was completed in November 2010 and more recently the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment report was completed in January 2011. The project includes a transfer of water out of the basin to the adjacent Great Oroba River where power is generated and the discharged water stored in another dam for irrigation of sugar cane. The project also includes a major potable water supply component to beneficiaries both within and outside the basin, fisheries and aquaculture, tourism and recreation. This study envisages the addition of watershed management and agro-processing components. Nandi Forest Dam has been designed as a Roller-Compacted Concrete (RCC) dam, with a total top length of 1,509 m and a maximum height of about 63 m; its related reservoir has a capacity of about 230 Mm³.

The irrigation infrastructure will facilitate the irrigation of an area of about 7,000 ha, which is at present mainly dedicated to small holder agriculture. A water supply system has been designed for drinking water supply to Kaimosi, Kobujoi, Chavakali, Mbele, Majengo and Kisumu. It is constituted by three pipes of 450 to 800 mm diameter. Installed capacity is 15.36 MW.