Kenya is classified as a water scarce country whose natural endowment of renewable freshwater is currently about 21 billion cubic meters of 647m3per capita per annum. A country is categorized “water scarce” if its renewable freshwater potential is less than 1000m3 per capita per annum. (Odira 2018). According to NCWSC, Nairobi city consumes about 500 million litres of water on a daily basis against a demand of 700 million litres. This deficit is getting worse due to urbanization. Nairobi largely sources its water from upper Tana River Basin.

Residents in Syokimau, Machakos County have a persistent problem with access to clean safe drinking water. The water supply in the region is not fully developed to cater for their needs. This has led them to depend on boreholes for their water needs. The residents have complained that the borehole water is salty and not safe to use it. They say
that it causes discoloration to their teeth and clothes (Olingo, 2011).

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.