The multibillion-shilling Northern Water Collector Tunnel in Murang’a County has been given a clean bill and will proceed as planned.
This is despite the war of words between CORD and the governing Jubilee coalition over the mega water project.
Athi Water Services Board (AWSB) chief executive Malaquen Milgo on Friday dismissed claims that the Northern Collector Tunnel (NCT) will harm the environment. Milgo told journalists that the project was opened to public participation and underwent an impact assessment study which confirmed it will have no effect on the flow of neighbouring rivers.
“I would also like to reassure the community in Murang’a and other downstream counties and users that the detailed design for the Northern Collector Water Tunnel Project has considered all findings of the hydrological and ecological studies to ensure that the project shall neither result in low river flows nor divert water during low river flow seasons,” he said.
Early last week, CORD’s Raila Odinga had claimed the Sh6.8 billion project would turn Murang’a, Garissa, Ukambani and Tana River Delta regions into deserts in five years.
Water Cabinet Secretary, Eugene Wamalwa, has defended the project claiming the Environmental Impact Assessment had been done and that the project would not lead to desertification as it only seeks to collect overflowing water.
And human rights activist Okiya Omtatah has moved to court seeking to suspend the project in Murang’a County. Omtatah and Florence Kanyua have sued the Athi Water Services Board (AWSB) and several of its officers over the alleged irregular tender award of the multi-billion project to China State Corporation Limited.
The duo allege that the contract was signed by the Board’s CEO at a time when he was on leave, and that there are no records in place to track how the contract was awarded.
Milimani High Court Judge Joseph Onguto certified the case as urgent and directed parties to appear in court on Wednesday next week for further directions.