President Uhuru Kenyatta commissioned the Sh24 billion Karimenu II Dam in Gatundu North, Kiambu County on Monday during a working tour of the county


The Vision 2030 flagship project started in 2019 with joint funding from the Governments of Kenya and China.


The 59-metre high dam occupying 600 acres of land will supply 70 million litres of water daily to close to 1 million residents of Gatundu, Juja, Ruiru and parts of Nairobi City.


While addressing residents of the area who defied the chilly weather to welcome him, Uhuru announced government plans to expand the dam to benefit many more residents of Kiambu County.


Uhuru also said the government was processing the settlement of all pending compensation claims for land owners who gave up their land for the project, noting that the funds had been factored into this year's budget.


On political matters, Uhuru appealed to residents of Gatundu North residents to elect leaders allied with the Raila Odinga and Martha Karua-led Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition.

The president said the ticked was best placed to take the country to greater heights.


Prior to commissioning the dam, Uhuru presided over a ceremony at Kamangu Primary School grounds in Kikuyu in which 14,000 title deeds were issued to area residents.