Availability of clean, and reliable water from the Thwake Multi-Purpose dam project will be a big boost to the Konza Technopolis city, which is currently under construction in Eastern Kenya.
The water from the multi-billion dam will be a critical element and a big game changer to the development of the ongoing technopolis.
Speaking during a tour of the project which is jointly funded by the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank (AfDB), ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs PS Jerome Ochieng said the completion of the dam will ensure Konza city dream is realized.
“Reliable water from the dam will be a key element. As part of a multi-agency approach within the national government, we as Konza City team, came to agree with the technical team over here on logistics and we are looking forward to get the much-needed water from the dam,” he said.
READ: Thwake Multipurpose Dam delayed due to Covid-19
The project, whose completion currently stands at 43.4 percent, experienced a delay in June due to layoff of about 400 workers in a move aimed at controlling the spread of Covid-19 among the site workers. The project has delayed by about 11 percent on a time lapse of 54 percent.
“Buy-Kenya-Build Kenya”
However, PS Ochieng lauded the progress saying there is synergy and collaboration from all stakeholders to ensure the project is completed within given timelines despite challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic. He disclosed plans to build local capacities and transfer of knowledge and technical exchange through internship programs for students in the project.
The PS said that Thwake Multi-Purpose dam project will answer the critical water question both to the local communities and beyond and that the provision of power and irrigation components are elements which will change lives of over 1.3 million residents.
The dam being constructed at the confluence of rivers Thwake and Athi is one of the standing projects in the country.
Makueni County Governor, Prof. Kivutha Kibwana, who accompanied the PS echoed the same sentiments promising to facilitate smooth implementation of the project. “A big project like this is poised to change cultural orientation of the people. I applaud the progress made so far,” he said.
READ: Thwake Multipurpose dam project on course
“We promise to share this water with Konza. I am equally impressed that the government has also set aside about US $240 million for irrigation component. We hope to see its actualization and concurrent implementation,” said Prof. Kivutha.
“The dam is in the first phase, comprised of construction of an 80.5m high multi-purpose dam (688 million cubic meter storage capacity) and associated preliminary works needed to enable implementation of other three phases.
Phase two of the works will involve construction of hydropower and substation development expected to generate at least 20MW of installed capacity, while the third phase will involve development of water supply system to treat and distribute up to 150,000 cubic metres of treated water per day to the Konza city and to majority of residents in Kitui, Machakos and Makueni counties.
The last stage of the project, will see development of irrigation works for up to 40,075 hectares of land in Kitui and Makueni counties.