REHABILITATION OF HALAKHE YAYA EARTH DAM DURING THE APRIL FLASH FLOODS
Marsabit Water and Sewerage Company as the sole water provider in Marsabit County facilitated the Rehabilitation of the Halakhe Yaya Earth Dam located in Saku Constituency during April Short rains that resulted in heavy flash floods.
Yaya Earth Dam which holds cumulatively 60 Million liters of water has spilled, raising fears that it may cause floods and destruction of property in its environs. Water levels have risen in the dam due to heavy rains pounding the area.
“Halakhe Yaya Earth Dam Holds 60 Million liters of Water.” Photo MARWASCO
The emergency development measures by MARWASCO as sole water provides involved strengthening of gabions and spiel ways as a messier to increase the safety Management.
This important component of rehabilitation and management aims at reducing the livelihood and consequences of dam failure by improving Dam embankments and building dam safety guidelines.
From Left Hon.Stephen Sora Katelo (MD MARWASCO,) Mr. Qalicha Galma (Technical Service Manager) and Mr. Boru Diba Photo MARWASCO
The rehabilitation process involved strengthening the foundation, improving drainage inflow and outflow (Spiel ways) and upstream of the dam (Embankment).
“Spilled Embankment of Halakhe Yaya,” Photo MARWASCO
MD MARWASCO, “The Dam was initially designed in such a way that once it flows, the water reverses back to the Dam instead of the spillway to the adjacent stream. As a measure to save Halakhe Yaya Dam Embankments, through the help of different partners, we have managed to lay out gabions and strengthen the existing embankment.”
However, this has been achieved through different partners including FH-Kenya (Kenya Rapid) and Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP). MARWASCO Provided Labor and technical supervision during Gabion Layout.
During the short rains of April 2023, Halakhe Yaya Earth Dam has collected cumulatively 60 million liters of water. The water is an important component to the residents of the Saku constituency particularly pastoralists for Domestic Use.
