Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects 2014/2015: Handing Over Ceremony for the Project for the Construction of Kwa Katana Earth Dam

Mr Mikio Mori, Mr Vonza Mwendwa, Chairman of WGDP, Mr Sammy Ngangi, CEO of WGDP touring the site with the community

Title	Handing Over Ceremony for the Project for the Construction of Kwa Katana Earth Dam
Date	30th April 2015
Location	Kwa Katana Earth Dam, Mwingi, Kitui County
Project title and Amount	Construction of Kwa Katana Earth Dam – USD 118,500 (9.8 M Ksh)
Attendance	Mr Mikio Mori, Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Kenya Mrs Joyce Mwende, Member of County Assembly Mr Vonza Mwendwa, Chairman of Women Grassroots Development Programme Mr Sammy Ngangi, CEO of Women Grassroots Development Programme Mr Lawrence Ikuku, chief of Thaananzau location Mr Peter Kadiro, assistant chief of Nzuva sub-location Members of the Community Around 80 participants
Main activity	The Handing Over Ceremony of the project for the construction of Kwa Katana Earth Dam in Kitui County, was held at the Earth and Dam in Mwingi, witnessed by among others, officials from the Embassy of Japan in Kenya. Women Grassroots Development Programme (WGDP), the implementing NGO, had been awarded a grant of 118,500 US Dollars, nearly 10 million Ksh for the construction of the earth dam, the core dam, a water withdrawal system and the fencing of the dam. The ceremony included speeches in English translated in Kikamba, traditional dances and refreshments. Representatives from the community thanked the government of Japan and WGDP organisation for supporting the community which used to walk for 7 kilometres to fetch water. This distance is now largely reduced. Mrs Joyce Mwende, Member of County Assembly, also expressed her gratitude and ensured of the county government commitment to fully support and coordinate any future project in this area, which is in dire need of safe and clean water. Mr Vonza Mwendwa, Chairman of Women Grassroots Development Programme, reminded the community of the long journey they went through and the work still to be done to ensure the sustainability of the project. Finally, Mr Mikio Mori, Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Kenya, congratulated the organization, the local authorities and the community for the successful completion of this project which will benefit to more than 2,000 people. He also talked about the continuous support by the Japanese Government in Kitui County, mentioning, amongst others, “JICA Project on Development of Drought Tolerant Trees for Adaption to Climate Change in Drylands of Kenya” in collaboration with KEFRI (Kenya Forestry Research Institute).

Photographs

From left to right : Mr Mavengo, elder, Mr Lawrence Ikuku, chief of Thaananzau location, Mr Mikio Mori, Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Kenya, Mr Sammy Ngangi, CEO of WGDP and Mr Vonza Mwendwa, Chairman of WGDP in front of the project plaque

Mrs Joyce Mwende, Member of County Assembly, while giving her speech

Mr Mikio Mori, Deputy Ambassador of Japan to Kenya while giving his speech