Athi Water Services Board
Expression of Interest (EoI) for Design, Build and Transfer of the proposed Gatamayu and Maragua Dams under a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) Arrangement
1. Introduction
Athi Water Services Board (AWSB) is a state corporation under the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, established under section 51 of the Water Act (Act No. 8 of 2002).
Our mandate is to:
(a) oversee the economical and effecient supply of water services;
(b) hold, on behalf of the Government of Kenya, water assets used in the provision of water services; and develop new water facilities (capital works) to meet the demand for water services.
Our jurisdiction covers the City of Nairobi and outlying districts of Kiambu East, Kiambu West, Kikuyu, Githunguri, Lari, Thika East, Thika West, Gatundu, Ruiru, and Gatanga Districts.
2. Project background
(a) Water demand forecast
The current water demand for the City of Nairobi is 750,000 cubic meters per day. This demand is expected to rise to 850,000 and 1,000,000 cubic meters per day by the year 2023 and 2030 respectively. Our current water production capacity is 460,000 cubic meters per day. This means that AWSB has a short fall for the City of Nairobi of approximately 300,000 cubic meters per day in the short term, and 540, 000 cubic meters per day in the long term. There is therefore need to urgently undertake the development of new facilities to cater for the current and long term demand.
(b) Intermittent droughts
Kenya is a water scarce country and has in the recent years suffered intermittent drought conditions. This has led to an acute water shortage, thus making the supply deficit even higher. There is therefore an urgent need to develop adequate storage facilities that will guarantee adequate water supplies in the face of unpredictable weather patterns.
3. Current interventions
As part of mitigation measures to address the current water shortage in the City, AWSB, the Ministry of Water and Irrigation and Development Partners have commenced two main initiatives aimed at exploiting ground water resources. The first project involves the drilling of sixty boreholes in the most affected areas of the City. These are mainly intended to serve as water draw points for water kiosks and water bowsers. The second project is looking into the possibility of developing deep water acquivers. This is intended to boost the capacity availability within the distribution network.
4. Short and long term interventions
Based on studies carried out by AWSB, priority needs to be placed on the development of a dam that can serve both as a water source and a storage facility in times of drought.
A study of possible dam sites was carried out by the Howard Humphrey's and Partners in 1986 and updated in 1998. Under the study Thika Dam Site, Gatimayu Dam Site, Ndarugu Dam Site and Managua Dam Site were identified. Of this, only Thika Dam has been implemented.
AWSB has identified Gatimayu Dam as an important addition in the short term while Maragua Dam has been identified for developmet as part of the long term measures required to meet the demand for water services up to the year 2025. The development these two dams is expected to produce an additional 80,000 and 350,000 cubic meters of water per day respectively.
5. Project Area
Gatimayu Dam site is located immediately downstream of the Ruiru and Bathi River Confluence 1 km from Githunguri Town while Maragua Dam site is located immediately downstream of Maragua and Gikigie Rivers Confluence. The reservoirs will thus regulate the river flows and secure water supply for use in the City of Nairobi and the surrounding towns of Kenol, Thika, Juja, Ruiru, Kiambu, Kikuyu as well as Ongata Rongai, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and the Export Processing Zone
6. Unsolicited proposal for Private Public Partnership
AWSB has received an unsolicited proposal from Private Sector groups to source for funds for the Design and Construction of the proposed Gatimayu and Maragua Dams. The ancilliary treatment works and distribution networks are expected to be funded by the World Bank under the Bulk Water Supply Project which is under preparation.
7. Request for the Expression of Interest
In accordance with the Public Procurement and Disposal (Public Private Partnerships) Regulations, 2009, AWSB now invites interested Private Sector Individuals and Groups for competing proposals or suitable alternatives for the construction of the Gatimayu and/or Maragua Dam on a Build-Transfer(BT) basis in order to meet the medium and long term water demand for the City of Nairobi and its environs.
8. Scope of Works
Gatimayu Dam
- Dam embankment
- Spillway and Intake Structure
- Short Tunnel from Ndurarua to Bathi River
- Production capacity of at least 80,000 cubic meters of water per day
Maragua Dam
- Dam Embankment
- Spillway and Intake structure
- About 2 Km Tunnel from Irati River to Maragua
- About 3 Km Tunnel from South Mathioya to Maragua
- About 6 Km Transmission Tunnel
- Production capacity of at least 350,000 cubic meters of water per day
9. Prospective developers' minimum requirements
In order to pre-qualify the interested bidders must:
- Submit certified registration documents to prove their legal status;
- Demonstrate access to competent design and construction contractors;
- Demonstrate ability to raise or mobilize funds of at least US Dollars 100 and 400 million for Gatimayu and Maragua Dam;
- Propose terms for Build and Transfer;
- Have a balance sheet with minimum capital (shareholders funds of US$100 million);
- Provide audited financial statements for the last 3 years;
- Provide a letter of recommendation from its bankers;
- A commitment to construct and commission each dam within 24 -36 months after contract award.
10.The following documents shall be submitted:
- Documents detailing that the paty (ies) fulfil(s) the minimum requirements in 9 above.
- Where the bidder is consortium , a list of the members of the consortium and the estimated percentage of funding to be granted by each of them including the documents evidencing the formation of the consortium and the proposed ownership structures; and
- Confirmation from the bidder or .where the bidder is a consortium, each member of the consortium, that there does not exist any litigation or conflict of interest, which would prevent the bidder or, as the case may be, a consortium member from contracting with AWSB.
11. Clarification
The interested parties may request for clarifications on the expression of interest up to four(4) days before the EOI submission date. Any request for clarification must be sent in writing by paper, mail, fax mail, or electronic mail. Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below from 0800 to 1700 hours from Monday to Friday excluding public holidays.
12. Expression of interest must be delivered to the address below by 28th August 2009 not later than 12.00 Hrs
Chief Executive Officer
Athi Water Services Board.
Africa Re-Centre, Hospital Rd
P.O.Box 45283-00100 Nairobi. Kenya.
Tel. 254 020 2724292/3
Fax. 25402027224295
Email: info @ awsboard.ao.ke
