Itare dam is a flagship project by the Government of Kenya in accordance with the policy of  prioritizing development of water resources. The proposed site was identified as the most viable  long term source of water to address water shortages in Nakuru municipality. The project  components include a 57m high dam, 100,000 m3/day water treatment works, 1.2m diameter 113km pipeline and water distribution improvement works that will serve over 800,000 people.