The Government of Kenya has confirmed that the construction of Thwake Multipurpose dam project in Eastern Kenya is on course, and within the required completion timeline.
A top government representative has revealed that an estimated US $148 million has been spent on construction works so far, and that pending succession disputes with those affected by the Project have been resolved.
The dam, located at the confluence of river Thwake and Athi river, is a Vision 2030 flagship project jointly funded by the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
According to the government, plans have been laid out to ensure the contractor – China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) – is paid in good time to enable the successful and timely completion of the project poised to benefit close to over 1.3 million rural inhabitants of the three counties of Makueni, Kitui and parts of Machakos.
According to National Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Julius Muia, Thwake Multipurpose Dam project remains a focus of National Government and has been cited as a key enabler for the realization of government’s Big 4 Agenda and Vision 2030 blueprint. “We must block all challenges posed to it because the benefits are immense,” he said.
READ: Thwake Multipurpose Dam delayed due to Covid-19
The first phase, which is currently on course, involves 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 work will involve construction of hydropower and substation development expected to generate at least 20MW of installed capacity.
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 millions of rural inhabitants of three counties and inhabitants of Konza TechnoCity and its environs.
The last stage of the project will see development of irrigation works for up to 40,075 hectares of land (approximately 100,000 acres of land).