The first phase of the Thwake Multipurpose Dam has reached a significant milestone with the completion of the Embankment area ahead of schedule, paving the way for other critical downstream phases, announced Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Zachariah Njeru.
During a visit today to witness the final filling and closure of the embankment area by the contractor, CS Njeru stated that the final completion of phase 1 is expected by December this year. “This is a big milestone for this project, and I want to thank all the teams involved in the construction. It is a story of success because all of us played a critical role,” he said.
The CS was accompanied by Principal Secretary of the State Department for Water and Sanitation Julius Korir, Water Secretary Eng. Samuel Alima, Makueni County Commissioner Henry Wafula, Chairperson of the Tana Water Works Development Agency Hon. Regina Ndambuki, Chief Executive Officer of Tanathi Water Works Development Agency Eng. Tito Mwamati, and teams from the contractor, consultant, and the Ministry.
The builders noted that this exercise marks a significant milestone for the dam, constructed at the confluence of the Thwake and Athi Rivers at the borders of Makueni and Kitui counties. The final filling of the embankment sets the stage for various downstream activities that will transform water supply, power generation, and agricultural irrigation in the Ukambani region.
Currently, the construction of the dam’s civil works and related activities is ongoing, with overall progress at 93.6%, slightly ahead of the scheduled 92.77%.
“To herald a new paradigm and socio-economic upliftment for millions of residents in the Lower Eastern Region, the Ministry has already finalized the designs and tender documents for the critical downstream components,” revealed CS Njeru. Discussions are underway with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to secure funding for the downstream works.
This effort aligns with the Government’s overall objective to fulfill the long-term national development plan in water, energy, and agriculture, as outlined in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
The first phase of the project involves constructing an 80.5-meter Concrete Face Rockfill Dam (CFRD) with a storage capacity of 688 million cubic meters. The second phase will focus on developing water supply, sanitation, and wastewater infrastructure, delivering 150,000 cubic meters of treated water daily to approximately 1.3 million people in Kitui, Makueni, and Konza Techno City in Machakos County. Phases three and four will include installing a hydropower system with a 20 MW capacity and developing an irrigation scheme covering 40,000 hectares.
The Thwake Dam project has already created over 1,200 local jobs and improved transport networks through upgraded roads.