MILESTONE AS BUILDERS OF THWAKE MULTIPURPOSE DAM COMPLETE EMBANKMENT AREA AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

Wote, Makueni County, June 18, 2024 The first phase of Thwake Multipurpose Dam has hit a significant milestone with the completion of the Embankment area ahead of schedule, paving way for other critical downstream phases, Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Zachariah Njeru has stated. During a visit today, Tuesday, June 18, to witness the final filling and closure of the embankment area by the Contractor, the CS added that the final completion of phase 1 is expected by December this year. “This is big milestone for this project and I want to thank all the teams who have been 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, State Department for Water and Sanitation Julius Korir, Water Secretary Eng. Samuel Alima, Makueni County Commissioner Henry Wafula, Chairperson, Tana Water Works Development Agency Hon. Regina Ndambuki, Chief Executive Officer, Tanathi Water Works Development Agency Eng. Tito Mwamati, a team from the Constructor, Consultant and the Ministry. The exercise, according to the builders, marks a great milestone for the Dam being constructed at the confluence of Thwake and Athi Rivers at the borders of Makueni and Kitui counties. It was also noted that 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 per cent slightly ahead of the scheduled 92.77 per cent. “To herald a new paradigm and socio-economic upliftment for the millions of residents in the Lower Eastern Region, the Ministry has already finalized the designs and tender documents for the critical downstream components,” revealed the CS. Discussions are underway with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to source for funding for the downstream works. This is in line with the Government’s overall objective to fulfil the long-term country’s development plan in the areas of water, energy and agriculture – as pillared under Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The first phase of the project involves construction of 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 see the installation of a hydropower system with a 20 MW capacity and the development of an irrigation scheme covering 40,000 hectares. Thwake Dam project has already created over 1,200 local jobs and improved transport networks through upgraded roads.