Flood control, domestic water supply, irrigation of 2570 hectares, 2.5MW hydropower, reduced pumping costs at Ahero Irrigation Scheme
Koru-Soin Multipurpose Dam
KSh 19.9 billion multipurpose dam on River Nyando for flood control, water supply, irrigation, and 2.5MW hydropower generation. Stalled due to funding issues.
AnnouncedJanuary 1, 2009
StartedAugust 27, 2022
Expected CompletionAugust 27, 2027
Financials
Offering PriceKsh 19,900,000,000KES
Timeline
Project Conceptualized
Koru-Soin Dam first conceptualized as flood control measure for Nyando plains
Feasibility Study Completed
National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority completed designs and feasibility study
Contract Awarded
Tender awarded to China Jiangxi joint venture at KSh 19.9 billion
Construction Commenced
Contractor received KSh 499 million advance payment and began mobilization
Contractor Suspends Work
China Jiangxi suspended operations citing non-payment, demanding KSh 846.5 million. Government had allocated only KSh 100 million against KSh 3 billion budget
PPP Financing Explored
Government announced shift to PPP model after the 100% government funding approach proved untenable
Scandals & Controversies
Contractor Suspends Work
September 1, 2023China Jiangxi suspended operations citing non-payment, demanding KSh 846.5 million. Government had allocated only KSh 100 million against KSh 3 billion budget
Contractors
China Jiangxi International Kenya Limited & China Jiangxi International Economic and Cooperation Co. Ltd.
Main Contractor (Joint Venture)Chinese joint venture awarded the contract on May 11, 2022 after quoting KSh 20 billion—33% less than government estimate
Politicians Involved
William Ruto
PresidentGovernment exploring PPP arrangement under his administration to complete the stalled project
Eliud Owalo
Deputy Chief of StaffLeading discussions with private sector investors for PPP financing model
Zachariah Njeru
Cabinet Secretary for Water and IrrigationAssured the public of government commitment to complete the dam and boost rice production
Benefits
Description
The Koru-Soin Multipurpose Dam is a major infrastructure project straddling Kisumu and Kericho counties on River Nyando, approximately 5km upstream of Muhoroni town. Originally conceptualized in the early 1990s and formally launched in 2009, the dam is designed as a zoned rock-fill structure with 93.7 million cubic metres storage capacity. It will supply 72,000m³/day of domestic water, irrigate 2,570 hectares, and generate 2.5MW of hydropower. The KSh 19.9 billion contract was awarded to China Jiangxi International Kenya Limited and China Jiangxi International Economic and Cooperation Co. Ltd. on May 11, 2022. The contractor received KSh 499 million advance payment but suspended operations in September 2023 citing non-payment, demanding an additional KSh 846.5 million. The government allocated only KSh 100 million against a KSh 3 billion budget in FY 2022-2023. As of 2025, the government is exploring PPP arrangements to complete the project.
Overview
Critical for controlling the devastating perennial flooding in Nyando plains that displaces over 40,000 people, while providing water, irrigation, and power to Kisumu and Kericho counties. The dam would decommission expensive electric pumps at Ahero Irrigation Scheme, benefiting over 30,000 farmers.