Thwake Multipurpose Dam poised to solve Water, Food Security Quest for Lower Eastern region

By GODFFREY OLALI
A blast of hot air blows from the horizons of Kisayani village, Katithi sub location, Mavindini location in Makueni County. On this day, Mama Katilu Matheka, 80, carefully tends to her farm with the hopes of harvesting plenty of kunde and mtama – traditional vegetable delicacies synonymous with the Ukambani area. 
Mama Katilu, whose source of livelihood depends on farming, is a pure case of portraits of transformation. As one of the Project Affected Persons (PAP), she was able to utilize compensation cash she received from the Government and constructed a modern house since her land was partially acquired due to the dam’s construction. 
Like millions of other residents, Mama Katilu is optimistic that one day, she will be able to irrigate her farm with water expected to flow from the nearby Thwake Dam.
“Even in my sunset years, I am optimistic that this dam will be a game-changer for us. Our hope relies on it. We waited for years for the State to bring such a good project to us,” she says of the dam being co-funded by the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
The Dam whose physical progress has hit 94 per cent, is being constructed at the confluence of rivers Athi and Thwake in the borders of Makueni and Kitui counties. The facility is expected to benefit at least 1.3 million residents drawn from the rural parts of the Lower Eastern counties.
Today, living conditions of billions of people are certainly improved by the construction of dams.  Indeed, dams have played a key role in socio-economic development since the third millennium BC when the first great civilization evolved on the major rivers. Dams are estimated to contribute approximately 12-16 per cent of world food production feeding about 1 billion people.
H.E President Dr. William Ruto, is on record stating that the country uses approximately Sh200 billion on food imports alone. However, Kenya is progressively working towards reversing this with irrigation fed agriculture, and Thwake Dam – once completed - will be a key pillar in boosting irrigation

Thwake Multipurpose Water Development Program will be done in four phases by the implementing agency – the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation.
The Dam, considered to be the second largest water reservoir in the country, will benefit approximately 1.3 million residents drawn from the rural parts of semi-arid counties of Makueni, Kitui and parts of Machakos.
The project will critically transform the socio-economic enterprise of the region which has suffered rampant water scarcity for decades. Drought and famine, have severely affected millions of residents – especially women and children. 
Speaking recently during an inspection tour of the Vision 2030 flagship project, Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary  Eng. Eric Muuga assured Kenyans that the State has fully engaged key stakeholders, including the African Development Bank (AfDB), to fast-track funding to hasten the completion of the dam.
“We have engaged all stakeholders involved to ensure that we complete this project. The fiscal financial space we are currently operating in as a nation is cutting across all the ministries, including water and sanitation. This is why we are in constant communication with the AfDB to fast-track payment of pending certificates so that the contractor can complete the work,” said the CS.
Meanwhile, officials from the Government Delivery Service (GDS) unit have also stated that the Government has given extra attention to a number of key flagship projects in the region and Thwake Multipurpose Dam tops that priority list.
“The Government has given extra attention to a number of key flagship projects in the Lower Eastern region of the country and Thwake Multipurpose Dam is amongst the projects prioritized,” said GDS officials during a past visit.
The sentiments from the State have also been echoed by the AfDB Director General, in charge of East Africa Operations Ms. Nnenna Nwabufo, who during a past interview in her office in Nairobi, indicated that the Ministry and other stakeholders including the National Treasury and Planning and the county governments of Makueni and Kitui must work to ensure the dam is fully operational, properly maintained and sustained. 
“We must agree that once the dam will be complete, it can’t be operational without the implementation of other critical downstream phases like water supply, hydropower development and irrigation. We encourage the Ministry not to rest. We hope to work with the State to ensure the remaining phases are fully implemented so that this facility can meet its full objective,” she stated.
“I can assure that the country governments of Makueni, Kitui and Machakos are eagerly waiting for the completion of this dam for the betterment of thousands of residents. It’s a game-changer for them.  We are open to work with the ministry and all stakeholders to achieve this objective,” added Ms. Nwabufo who is also the bank’s director for country operations.

Phase 1 which is currently at advanced stage, involves construction of an 80.5m high multi-purpose dam with storage capacity of 688 million cubic metre and associated preliminary works. It is located one Kilometre downstream of the confluence of Thwake and Athi Rivers.

It is an embankment dam covering an area of around 9,217 acres, with catchment spanning about 10,276 km2.

The second phase, will see development of water supply, sanitation & waste water infrastructure to supply an estimated 150,000 m3/day of treated water to approximately 1.3 million people drawn from the rural areas of Kitui and Makueni counties and Konza Techno City in Machakos County.

The third phase will see development of hydropower generation system with an installed capacity of approximately 20 MW, while the last phase will entail development of irrigation scheme for 40,000 hectares of land.

For years, thousands of residents from Makueni and Kitui have been affected by floods which sweep away their farms during rainy seasons.

However, with the construction of this dam, the target population will not only benefit from an abundant supply of water which will lead to improved health and spur economic development, but also frequent floods will be controlled. 
The Project Affected Persons have also benefited from compensation. Most have relocated and built new homes, venturing in socio-economic activities thereby giving hope to their families. 
Currently, there are hundreds of male and female laborers drawn from local villages and other counties employed directly into this project.

The project is also supporting local industries through sourcing of construction materials such as cement, steel and fuel for the construction of the dam.  
The Ministry, through the Contractor and the Consultant, have also rolled out a Corporate Social Responsibility Program (CSR), covering areas such as education, health and water.

These initiatives, have been undertaken to improve the well-being of the local communities.

So far, 41 classrooms have been renovated in 12 schools, six new classrooms constructed in three schools, two health facilities renovated, two health facilities constructed. Other CSR projects done so far include; three boreholes to supply clean water to the local community

Development of this Dam will provide ready markets for goods and services and reduced rural-urban migration since people will get employed in the upcoming opportunities in the area. 
The project will be also be a major boost to realization of Vision 2030 and achievement of the UN-backed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through eradication of extreme poverty and hunger by enhancing income sources and food security. 
The Government and the African Development Bank, are committed to ensure that this life-changing project, is completed as planned so that thousands of Wananchi, can benefit, live dignified lives and partake of matters nation building.
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