Assessment of Post Expansion Impacts of Maruba Dam in Machakos County; a Case Study of Miwani Estate in Machakos Town

Abstract

Water is a universal need and is considered the principal limiting factor for human life. The objective of this study was to determine the impacts that resulted from the expansion of Maruba dam, within Miwani estate in Machakos town that had an estimated target population of 10,000 people. Data was collected using: semi structured household survey questionnaires that sampled 385 respondents; key informant interview and focus group discussion guide that sampled 12 respondents; physical observations; and desk review of secondary data. The findings of the study show that, expansion of Maruba dam resulted to both positive and negative economic, environmental and social impacts. The comparison of the impacts showed that economic impacts had a resultant weight of 64.4% while the social and environmental impacts had resultant weights of 33.2% and 2.4% respectively. However, the positive impacts for each of the parameters outweighed the respective negative impacts. Water coverage in Miwani estate increased from 120m3/day (20%) to approximately 958m3/day (70%) after the expansion of the dam. Revenue collected from the estate by the local water company increased from KES 101,231 to KES 859,393 per month. Based on the research findings it was concluded that the expansion of Maruba dam contributed positively to economic, social and environmental well-being of the residents of Miwani estate. It is recommended that the estate be sewered and be connected to the existing sewerage system. The County Government should improve on solid waste management, so as to mitigate against environmental pollution.