Thwake dam/HANDOUTThe government is targeting to begin storing water at Thwake Multipurpose Dam by the end of January 2027, as construction works on the project reach 94.23 per cent completion.
Water Secretary and project officials said the remaining works were progressing following additional financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB), with commissioning subsequently planned for April.
During a site visit on Thursday, AfDB Director for Water and Sanitation Eng Mtchera Chirwa said the lender was committed to supporting the project through completion.
Chirwa revealed that the bank was already holding discussions on financing downstream investments needed to deliver the project’s full benefits.
The downstream components include water supply, irrigation, sanitation and hydropower generation, which are expected to serve close to 1.3 million residents in Makueni and Kitui counties and parts of Machakos County.
“This is a game changer for this region, because water is life, and sanitation is dignity. The government is bringing life and dignity to this region,” the Water Secretary said.
The project is expected to produce 150,000 cubic metres of water daily for Wote and neighbouring areas and towns in Makueni and Kitui, as well as supply water to Konza Technopolis.
It is also designed to generate 20 megawatts of electricity to support dam operations and provide irrigation for 40,000 acres of land.
Chirwa said the bank would continue working with the government to ensure the project was completed and the planned benefits realised.
“As a bank, we will ensure the project reaches completion and achieves the benefits. This means provision of water for food security; implementation of the irrigation component, water supply and sanitation for residents and hydropower for energy generation,” he said.
He said the outstanding construction works were expected to be completed by the middle of 2027, while the downstream investments would be essential in translating the dam's capacity into water supply, agricultural production and energy benefits for residents.
The project manager, Sam Alima, said construction had resumed after months of delays following the resolution of a financing gap through an additional Sh10.6 billion in AfDB funding.
He said the remaining works included construction of the concrete face slab and a bridge across the embankment.
“The contractor has resumed with the concrete face already having some panels while others are also under preparation. They have also started doing the bridge,” Alima said.
Chirwa, who was accompanied by water sector officials and AfDB representatives, said discussions were ongoing on the downstream phases and additional investments required to maximise the project's benefits.
He reaffirmed the Bank's commitment to remaining involved until the project was completed.
Efforts to clean up the Nairobi River system are also underway, including sewage collection and treatment and river widening, as part of measures to ensure clean water reaches the dam.
The Thwake Multipurpose Water Development Programme is a flagship project under Kenya Vision 2030, intended to improve water supply, support irrigation and provide hydropower in the lower eastern region.
