Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto at State House on October 9, 2026/PCSThe Cabinet has approved an additional Sh12.83 billion to complete Thwake Multipurpose Dam and cleared three strategic road corridors for advancement under the Roads for Rural Economic Development Programme.
The decisions are aimed at improving water security, opening up rural economies and connecting agricultural production zones, fishing communities and trading centres to wider markets.
According to a Cabinet dispatch, the additional financing for Thwake Dam will support the completion of the project, which is expected to supply 150,000 cubic metres of water daily to approximately 1.3 million people.
The dam will serve communities in Makueni and Kitui counties, including Wote town and surrounding areas, as well as Konza Technopolis.
“The project will strengthen water security, agricultural production and economic development,” the dispatch stated.
Beyond domestic water supply, the multipurpose project is expected to support irrigation and future hydropower generation, potentially boosting agricultural productivity and expanding access to reliable water for economic activities.
The additional funding is expected to help advance the project towards completion, although the Cabinet dispatch did not specify the new completion timeline.
The government has identified water security as a key component of development, particularly in areas that experience recurring water shortages and depend on rainfall for agricultural production.
Thwake Dam is expected to provide a more reliable water supply to households and institutions while supporting irrigation schemes that could improve food production in the lower eastern region.
On road infrastructure, Cabinet cleared three major corridors under the Roads for Rural Economic Development Programme, targeting improved connectivity between rural production areas and markets.
The projects comprise the 253-kilometre South Rift–Lake Region Gateway Corridor, the 256-kilometre Great Highlands Connectivity Corridor and the approximately 400-kilometre Lake Victoria Ring Road.
“The roads will link agricultural production areas, fishing communities and trading centres to wider markets, cutting transport costs, reducing travel times and improving access to economic opportunities,” the dispatch stated.
The three corridors are intended to strengthen transport links for farmers, traders and fishing communities, making it easier to move produce to markets while reducing the costs associated with long-distance transportation.
Improved connectivity could also support businesses along the routes by facilitating the movement of goods and people, opening up trading centres and strengthening links between rural economies and larger commercial hubs.
The Lake Victoria Ring Road, at approximately 400 kilometres, is expected to improve connectivity around the lake region, while the other two corridors will strengthen links between agricultural areas and markets across the South Rift and Great Highlands.
However, the Cabinet announcement did not provide the estimated cost of the three road projects, their specific implementation schedules or their expected completion dates.
The decisions form part of the government's broader infrastructure programme, with the dam investment targeting water supply and irrigation while the road corridors seek to address transport barriers affecting rural production and trade.
