Key State committee applauds Thwake Dam progress

Wote, Makueni, Thursday, June 17, 2022

Members of the Regional Development Implementation Coordination Committee (RDICC) have lauded the progress registered at the ongoing construction of Thwake Multipurpose Dam.
Speaking during a high-profile in-depth tour of the dam on Thursday, June 17, 2022, Eastern Regional Commissioner Mr. Evans Achoki who heads the RDICC, Eastern Region, said that the State is firmly committed in ensuring timely completion of the project, anchored under the Vision 2030 flagship blue-print and a key enabler of the Big 4 Agenda.
“We have seen the good progress of works being undertaken by the teams involved and I want to encourage them to re-double their efforts and ensure smooth and timely delivery of the first phase of this project as the State readies to implement other phases,” he said of the project which has already registered 70 per cent completion and expected to benefit residents drawn from the rural parts of Makueni, Kitui and parts of Machakos counties.
On expected investments and socio-economic benefits, the Commissioner urged potential investors to start strategizing for opportunities as the project takes shape.
“I want to urge potential investors to be ready and seize the massive opportunities that will come along with this dam. There will be enough drinking water and sanitation facilities in nearby towns, constant power supply for small-holder industries to be fed by the 20MW electricity, tourism attractions where schools will be visiting while other Kenyans will appreciate the magnificent beauty of this area after the completion of the dam,” he stated, adding that issues of compensation and Covid-19 pandemic delayed the project a bit but the Ministry has since overcome.
He further revealed that in order to reduce the human-animal conflict in the area, the State through Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) will build stations around to control the menace.
The State has instructed regional commissioners to foster greater co-ordination and harmonisation in the implementation of the government’s development programmes and projects under the Medium Term Plan III, with a focus on the Big Four Agenda.
RDICC members co-ordinate within their respective regions, using a multi-sectoral approach, to ensure that the implementation of government’s projects have been realized.
The RDICC visit saw members from Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit (CIPU), Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), regional commander, officers from Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), regional directors of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) and (Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies).
Also in attendance were the Program Coordinator (PIT) Eng. David Onyango who was accompanied by a section of PIT members, Senior Resident Engineer Pius Musis, and representatives from the Contractor, Consultant and a section of staff.
The dam, considered as a key pillar in Big 4 agenda and Vision 2030 flagship and which is at its first phase, will have other critical components such as hydropower development, water supply and sanitation and irrigation.
The Government of Kenya (GoK) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation are jointly funding the first phase of this mega project expected to benefit at least 1.3 residents drawn from rural parts of Makueni, Kitui and parts of Machakos counties.