The much-awaited revival of the stalled Bosto multi-purpose project in Bomet is now set to commence soon after the Cabinet approved its implementation.
The project mooted back in 2015, was intended to supply water to the residents of the two counties of Bomet and Kericho counties.
It was to be implemented at a cost of Sh21 billion and completed in a span of three years.
Located along Kipsonoi river within the Southwest of Mau Forest reserve in Konoin, the dam is set to provide water to over 75 per cent of Bomet County and some areas within Buret in Kericho.
With a reservoir capacity of 18.8 million cubic meters (18.8 billion liters), the project is set to serve a population of 709,000 people within an estimated coverage area of 1052km².
The proposed project was designed and strategically positioned to supply water through a pure gravity system which is economical in construction, sustainable in operation and maintenance.
When he assumed office, President William Ruto reiterated his commitment to completing all, stalled projects including the Bosto project, listing it as one of the 100 priority dams across the country.
He announced during a visit to the South Rift that he has secured funding from the Chinese project towards its completion.
Ruto was in China in September 2024 for the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit.
"We have secured Sh15 billion from the Chinese government for the project. I will be returning to go and sign the agreement," Ruto said in July 2024 during a tour of South Rift.
The project had initially suffered setbacks after the Kenya Forest Service and the National Environmental Authority (NEMA) raised some projects about it.
They later, however, cleared it for construction.
Some of the proposed components of the project were a 40-metre high dam, water treatment plant that is capable of handling up to 56,000 cubic metres per day and a 200-kilometre long transmission line including storage reservoirs.
Also approved by the Cabinet is the construction of Mokubo Water Supply in Kisii County.
