Makueni: The African Development Bank (AfDB), Director General East Africa Region, Dr. Alex Mutebi Mubiru, has applauded the progress made in the construction of the Thwake Multi-Purpose Dam being constructed at the confluence of Rivers Athi and Thwake at the border of Makueni and Kitui counties. Dr. Mubiru made the remarks on Wednesday during a tour of the dam where he praised the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation for diligent oversight and quality construction works being carried out by the China Gezhouba Group Company (CGCG).
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Mubiru expressed his optimism that the additional financing required of Sh10,541,736,307 billion to complete phase 1 may be secured during the AfDB Board meeting scheduled for November 15, 2025. 'The progress here is notable and we eagerly anticipate the day when water flows to the people of Kitui and Makueni, connected by a new road bridging these counties,' said Dr. Mubiru while addressing the media at the site on Wednesday.
The director general, who was accompanied by other bank officials, highlighted the AfDB's long-standing partnership with Kenya, emphasizing the bank's commitment to delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget despite challenges. He emphasized AfDB's resolve to see the project complete, noting Kenya's status as a key shareholder of the bank. 'As a bank, we have a duty to finish what we started. The dam's completion promises to reshape the socio-economic landscape of the Lower Eastern Region, offering hope to millions, particularly women and children, who have endured decades of water scarcity,' he added.
The move by the Bank is set to accelerate the dam's completion and unlock its vast potential. Speaking at the same forum, the Water Secretary Eng. Samuel Alima revealed that construction has advanced significantly, with concrete face slabbing underway since mid-September. 'We have requested additional resources from the AfDB ahead of the November board meeting. With this funding, we shall complete critical components, including the concrete face, the Kitui-Makueni link road and bridge, and the installation of hydro-mechanical equipment and gates, within eight months' time,' said Alima.
He added that water impoundment is expected to begin during the October-November 2026 rains, paving the way for discussions on funding the remaining phases, which include power generation, water supply, and irrigation. Thwake Dam, funded by AfDB, is set to be Kenya's second-largest water reservoir and spans 9,217 acres with a catchment area of 10,276 km² and a storage capacity of 688 million cubic meters. Its first phase, now nearing completion, involves constructing an 80.5-meter-high embankment dam.
Subsequent phases will deliver treated water to 1.3 million residents in Kitui and Makueni Counties and Konza Techno City, as well as generate 20 MW of hydro-power, and irrigate 40,000 hectares of land, revolutionizing agriculture in a region long plagued by drought and famine.