Makueni-kitui: The ongoing construction of the Thwake multi-purpose dam, located at the confluence of the Athi and Thwake Rivers along the Makueni-Kitui county border, has reached significant milestones. The government has initiated upstream surface concreting, a pivotal step towards the impoundment of water. Impounding involves collecting and holding water in a reservoir created by a dam, with purposes including irrigation, flood control, reservoir creation, and maintaining wetland water levels.
According to Kenya News Agency, Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eng. Eric Mugaa, during a site visit, explained that the concreting of the embankment is the final step to prevent water seepage through the dam wall. Mugaa revealed that the 1.5-kilometer-long wall will have several panels with engineering joints to prevent leakages. The concreting process is expected to take 6-7 months before impounding begins.
The CS further elaborated on upstream concreting, which starts once the top surface settles at a rate of five millimeters per month. This condition has already been achieved at the Thwake multi-purpose dam. World dam experts advised delaying surface concreting until this settlement rate was reached.
Eng. Mugaa also disclosed that additional financing from the African Development Bank has been sought to complete phase 1 of the project, although specific amounts were not mentioned. He assured residents of Makueni, Kitui, and Machakos counties of the dam's completion as promised by the government, urging them to disregard negative reports in the media.
Water, Sanitation and Irrigation PS Julius Korir stated that the dam's physical progress rate stands at 94.2 percent, making it the second-largest water reservoir in the country. The project aims to transform the socio-economic landscape by addressing water scarcity and drought, significantly impacting women and children.
The Thwake Multipurpose Water Development Program is designed to benefit approximately 1.3 million residents in Makueni, Kitui, and Konza Techno-city. It consists of four phases: wall construction, electricity generation, water supply, and irrigation components. Upon completion, the dam is expected to enhance water security and drive economic development in the region.
Notable attendees at the site visit included Water Secretary Eng. Samuel Alima, Makueni County Commissioner Duncan Darusi, and County Executive for Water Eng. John Kieti.