The Thwake Multipurpose Dam, a Chinese-built infrastructure project in Kenya’s southeastern Makueni County, is nearing completion and is poised to usher in significant socioeconomic transformation in the region. Scheduled for commissioning later this year, the dam promises to enhance water supply, irrigation, and hydropower generation for communities in the drought-prone lower eastern parts of the country.
Zachariah Njeru, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, expressed optimism during an inspection tour of the dam on Tuesday. “This multipurpose dam will be a game changer in this region,” Njeru remarked. “We are going to sort out the issue of food insecurity and water for both domestic and livestock use. We will also have that component of power.”
The visit marked a significant milestone as Njeru witnessed the completion of the dam’s embankment fill, a crucial phase before constructing the bridge and installing gates. The Thwake Dam’s development commenced in March 2018 and is being implemented in four phases: the establishment of the embankment, installation of water supply infrastructure, hydropower generation, and irrigation.
Co-financed by the Kenyan government and the African Development Bank (AfDB), the project is constructed by China Gezhouba Group Company (CGGC). It stands as a flagship initiative within Kenya’s Vision 2030, a national long-term development blueprint aimed at transforming Kenya into an industrialized, middle-income country.
The dam is expected to provide nearly 150,000 cubic meters of treated water daily to approximately 1.3 million people in the lower eastern region. Additionally, it will facilitate the irrigation of 100,000 acres of land, significantly boosting agricultural productivity. The hydropower component is projected to generate 20 megawatts of electricity, contributing to Kenya’s energy security and supporting industrial growth.
Njeru emphasized the dam’s potential impact on the region’s economy and livelihoods. “By addressing water scarcity and energy needs, we are laying the foundation for sustainable development,” he said.
The Thwake Dam underscores the vitality of Kenya-China cooperation in infrastructure development, aligning with the Belt and Road Initiative—a global development strategy adopted by China involving infrastructure development and investments in numerous countries.
As the dam nears completion, local communities anticipate the numerous benefits it will bring, from improved access to clean water and increased agricultural yields to enhanced power supply. The Thwake Multipurpose Dam represents not only a significant engineering accomplishment but also a beacon of international collaboration aimed at fostering economic growth and improving quality of life.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
