“Spongy City” Concept to revolutionize the County Water Management Systems.

Written by James Munyua

Nakuru County has recieved a major boost in its water management systems through a partnership with VEI, a Dutch Water Operator that will help mitigate the effects of flooding and water retention structures through a concept called Spongy City.

Through this partnership, seven key Hotspot that are known to be a major cause of flooding in Nakuru City and its environs have been identified.

Consequently, the County with the help of the implementing partner Water as Leverage, a Netherlands Enterprise Agency we good forward draw the Project Proposal for funding.

Some of the identified hotspots includes, Njoro River, Menengai Crater, Ngosur river, North Western Agricultural fields, areas with informal settlement among others.

During a meeting with Deputy Governor H.E David Kones, VEI Project Manager Myrko Weber revealed that Nakuru City will be the first City in the entire African to experience the Spongy City Concept.

“The Spongy City Concept help us to address water imbalance. When it rains floods are experienced shortly after we experience water scarcity. This concept is make sure that during rainy season water is retained and used after,” Weber said.

The project that is expected to take two to three years will see the adoption of Spongy City Concept that emphasizes flood management through strengthening green infrastructures instead of purely relying on drainage systems.

This includes having more urban parks, gardens, green spaces, wetlands, nature strips and permeable pavings to reduce flash floods by serving as reservoirs for capturing, retaining and absorbing excess storm water.

The concept also include water retention structures such rain water harvesting, construction of shallow dams where retained water can be used for irrigation and for home use.

According to Sandra Schoof Programme Manager, Water as Leverage, the Dutch organization who are the implementing partners, Nakuru County is expected to recieve the necessary funding once the project proposal are complete and MOU signed.

“We will partner with the County Government to come up with the Project proposals for this project especially in the seven key Hotspots identified. We have implemented such project in other countries such India, but Nakuru is the first beneficiary in the Africa Continent” Sandra noted

This underscores the steadfast leadership of Governor Susan Kihika in attracting funding for development programs.

Deputy Governor Kones welcomed this partnership saying it will be a game changer with Nakuru being a water scarce county but also probe to flooding.

“We welcome with both hands this concept and we applaud your move of choosing Nakuru for this project. We will support you in every way to see this project is implemented so that we can alleviate the issue of flooding as well ratain water for other uses,” said Mr Kones.

Governor Susan Kihika will oversee the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding in the coming weeks with pilot phase expected soon.

Also present during the meeting were; Chief of Staff Dr. Peter Ketyenya, County Executives Nelson Maara,(Water), Jacqueline Osoro (Public Service) Chief Officer, Water and Sanitation, Eng. Margaret Kinyanjui, County Attorney Caleb Nyamwange among other County officials.