PS Kimotho leads Public Participation in Radat Dam Development Plan Roll Out

 By Victor Patience Oyuko 

In Baringo County, momentum is building around one of Kenya’s most transformative infrastructure projects—Radat Dam. A vision long spoken of is now taking structured form under the stewardship of Principal Secretary for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho. On a significant day of public engagement, the people of Mogotio were invited to the decision-making arena, not as bystanders, but as critical participants in shaping a future defined by secure water access, expanded agriculture, and sustainable livelihoods.

A New Chapter for Perkerra and Beyond

The Radat Dam project, strategically positioned about 25 kilometers south of Marigat township, is poised to unlock agricultural and economic transformation across the region. The design of the dam seeks to tame and utilize the floodwaters of the local river, channelling its seasonal chaos into structured opportunity. At the center of its ambition lies the Perkerra Irrigation Scheme, a decades-old lifeline that has served farmers within its 2,500-acre range. Radat Dam promises to more than double that reach to 5,800 acres in its initial phase, with a long-term vision of covering over 50,000 acres.

The promise of expanded irrigation is not just a statistic—it is a fundamental shift for local farmers whose fortunes have been tethered to the unpredictability of rainfall and the limitations of current water infrastructure. The dam’s potential to irrigate these vast tracts of land represents food security, higher incomes, and resilience for thousands of families.

Engineering a Future Beyond Water Supply

As the technical plans of the project take shape, Radat Dam emerges as more than just a water reservoir. Its projected capacity of 124 million cubic meters makes it one of the most significant investments in the region’s water security. But it is the secondary benefits that elevate its relevance to national discourse.

Regulated river flow will mitigate the devastating seasonal floods that have historically washed away crops and displaced communities in Marigat and the surrounding farmlands. The project is designed to stabilize these natural cycles, creating room for predictable farming seasons and protecting vital infrastructure. Additionally, the dam will serve as a source of reliable water for domestic, agricultural, and even industrial use—a critical need in a region that has long grappled with water scarcity.

A standout feature of the project is its capacity to generate one megawatt of captive hydropower. Though modest in size, this power will support critical functions such as water treatment and local industrial activity, all while reducing dependency on the national grid. This marks a forward-thinking approach, integrating energy efficiency into water infrastructure—a model that aligns with Kenya’s broader sustainable development goals.

Public Participation at the Core

This vision, ambitious as it is, rests not merely on engineering blueprints or government decrees, but on the voices and consent of the people it seeks to serve. That understanding formed the bedrock of the public participation forum convened at the Radat Dam site. It was here that PS Ephantus Kimotho made clear the government’s commitment to a people-first implementation model.

At the heart of the forum was a central issue: land compensation. In addressing the gathering, PS Kimotho emphasized that construction of the dam would not commence until all landowners had been fully compensated. This declaration was more than procedural—it was an affirmation of respect for local livelihoods, heritage, and constitutional rights. The process, he assured residents, would be grounded in fairness, transparency, and mutual benefit.

The forum also provided an opportunity to introduce the development of a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), a crucial document that will guide how affected communities are supported and repositioned. It was made clear that the RAP would only be developed after listening keenly to the views, concerns, and aspirations of residents—a process that is ongoing and open.

A Coalition of Leadership and Will

The weight and promise of the Radat Dam project were mirrored in the caliber of leaders present at the engagement. Among them was Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo, who underscored the transformative nature of national infrastructure projects like Radat. His call to the people of Baringo was unequivocal: embrace this development as counties across the country have done, and prepare to reap its long-term dividends.

Equally compelling was the contribution of Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago, who championed a compensation process rooted in fairness and inclusivity. He was clear in his advocacy for a model of project execution that offers real economic benefit to locals—not just in access to water, but in jobs, skills, and contracts. His emphasis on participatory employment underscored the project’s potential as a vehicle for both development and dignity.

Also present was Baringo Women Representative Florence Jematiah, who voiced support for the government’s renewed attention to a project that had for too long existed only in political manifestos. Her presence, along with that of Mogotio MP Reuben Kiborek, reinforced a sense of regional unity around the dam’s implementation.

MP Kiborek provided a particularly poignant reminder of just how long this project had languished in uncertainty. He commended the current leadership for translating years of speculation into a concrete framework for action. The shift, he noted, was evident not just in speeches, but in the existence of a written, actionable plan.

Restoring Trust Through Transparent Action

Trust, once eroded by unfulfilled promises, is not easily restored. Yet at the Radat Dam forum, a concerted effort was made to rebuild that trust. The message from PS Kimotho and his colleagues was clear: development cannot—and will not—be imposed. Rather, it must be co-created with those most affected, guided by the principle that no community should suffer in the name of progress.

In that spirit, PS Kimotho spoke to the broader development vision that accompanies the dam. It is not only about supplying water but also restoring livelihoods. The State Department for Irrigation, he assured, is committed to a policy that will prioritize local communities for employment opportunities arising from the dam’s construction and long-term operation. This people-centered approach is designed to ensure that the dam delivers tangible, measurable benefits beyond its engineering specifications.

The promise of solarization for pumping and water delivery systems further strengthens this commitment to sustainability. By tapping into renewable energy sources, the project aims to minimize its ecological footprint while maximizing operational efficiency.

A Defining Moment for Baringo

What unfolded at the Radat Dam site was not just a meeting, but the beginning of a contract—social, developmental, and moral—between the State and the people of Baringo. For too long, the region’s immense potential has remained unrealized, stifled by environmental unpredictability and institutional inertia. The Radat Dam is a chance to turn that page and script a new chapter of prosperity, resilience, and regional pride.

The presence of high-ranking officials, the detailed outline of the compensation process, and the honest engagement with community concerns all signal a shift in how infrastructure projects are delivered in Kenya. It is no longer enough to build grand structures; it must be done in a way that includes, respects, and uplifts the communities they are meant to serve.

As the bulldozers prepare to roll out and survey teams map out plots, it is the groundwork laid by these public engagements that will determine the success of the Radat Dam. With its bold scope and people-first design, this project has the power not just to irrigate crops but to irrigate hope across Baringo.

Laying the Foundation for Generational Impact

In every sense, Radat Dam represents a convergence of vision, necessity, and commitment. Under the leadership of PS Ephantus Kimotho, the State Department for Irrigation has moved swiftly to inject credibility, transparency, and human-centered design into a project that is set to define the region’s future. From expanded agricultural zones to regulated floodwaters, from new energy solutions to local job creation, the dam is as much about infrastructure as it is about justice and empowerment.

As Kenya continues to navigate the complexities of climate adaptation, food security, and rural development, Radat Dam stands as a model of how major investments can be both technically sound and socially just. It is a blueprint of partnership—between government and citizen, between vision and execution, between promise and delivery.

And for the people of Baringo, it is a long-awaited beginning.

Article by Victor Patience Oyuko. To buy coffee: 0708883777