Thwake Dam Construction Reaches Key Milestone In Makueni County

The construction of the Thwake Multipurpose Dam has achieved a significant milestone, with the government initiating upstream phase surface concreting - a critical step toward water impounding. This development marks one of the final stages in the construction of the dam’s embankment, setting the stage for hydromechanical equipment installation and link road construction in the coming months.

During a site visit to oversee the start of the upstream concreting, Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, Eng. Eric Mugaa, announced that the process paves the way for water impounding, expected to commence during the next long rainy season. “We have made significant progress. This is the first layer of upstream phase concreting, which could only begin after the dam embankment settled at a rate of 5 mm per month over several months,” Mugaa explained.

Accompanied by Principal Secretary Julius Korir, Water Secretary Eng. Samuel A.O. Alima, and Program Implementation Team Coordinator Eng. Joseph Kariuki, the Cabinet Secretary confirmed that the dam has reached the required stability with no visible cracks. “We are now confident to proceed with upstream phase surface concreting to minimize water slippage,” he added. The contractor conducted rigorous laboratory tests on concrete and steel to ensure the quality of the 1.5-meter-long wall, a process expected to take 6-7 months before impounding can begin.

Principal Secretary Korir noted that the Ministry is nearing the completion of the first phase of construction. With a physical progress rate of 94.2%, the Thwake Dam, located at the confluence of the Athi and Thwake rivers on the Makueni-Kitui border, is poised to become Kenya’s second-largest water reservoir. The project, implemented by the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, is expected to transform the socio-economic landscape of the region by addressing decades-long water scarcity, drought, and famine, which have disproportionately impacted women and children.

The Thwake Multipurpose Water Development Program, designed to benefit approximately 1.3 million residents in rural parts of Makueni, Kitui, and other Lower Eastern counties, is being executed in four phases. Upon completion, the dam is expected to significantly enhance water security and drive economic development in a region long plagued by water challenges.

Wote, Makueni County, September 24, 2025
By Patrick Nyakundi