Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa has attributed delays in the construction of the Thwake Multi-Purpose Dam, a key water project at the confluence of Thwake and Athi rivers on the Kitui-Makueni border, to the Russia-Ukraine war.
The Ksh.82 billion project, which began in March 2018, has faced multiple setbacks, with its completion date pushed back several times. Appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, CS Mugaa was questioned by Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo on the reasons behind the delay. In response, he cited challenges caused by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which escalated in February 2022.
“Our access for explosives required to blast the foundations of the rock bed were not easily accessible. It slowed the progress of the work. It’s a global market,” Mugaa stated, attempting to link the war in Eastern Europe to the dam’s delayed construction. However, senators expressed frustration over this explanation, questioning the direct connection between the conflict and the stalled project in Kenya.
The Thwake Dam project has been a priority initiative, with its first phase expected to provide essential water supply, hydropower development, and irrigation for the region. However, since its commencement, the project has encountered multiple extensions. In January 2023, the Kenyan government granted a fourth extension after the main contractor, China Ghezhouba Group Company, failed to meet the February 4, 2024 deadline. The contractor subsequently requested more time, proposing a revised completion date of December 2024.
As of early 2023, over Ksh.22 billion had already been spent on the project, primarily funded by the African Development Bank. By June of the same year, then-Water CS Zachariah Njeru confirmed that over Ksh.36 billion had been used to construct the embankment area, with assurances that the first phase would be completed by the end of 2024.
The Thwake Dam project is expected to be a game-changer for the region, providing clean water to residents, supporting irrigation, and generating hydroelectric power. However, continued delays have raised concerns over financial accountability and project efficiency. With the new completion date set for December 2024, stakeholders are keen to see if the government will finally deliver on its promises or if further setbacks will arise.
