According to reports, the construction of the Thwake multifunctional dam project at the confluence of the Thwake and Athi rivers in eastern Kenya is in progress and will be completed within the prescribed timetable for completion.

According to government officials in East African countries, more than 37% of the project’s construction has been completed, and pending inheritance disputes with those affected by the project have been resolved. In addition, a plan to ensure that the contractor, China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC) pays on time, is also formulated to ensure the successful completion of the project on time.

Project implementation

The Thwake multifunctional dam project was implemented in four phases. The first phase currently being implemented involves the construction of an 80.5m high multifunctional dam with a water storage capacity of 688 million cubic meters, and related preliminary works to carry out the other three phases.

The second phase will involve the construction of substations and hydropower plants, which are expected to generate at least 20 MW of electricity, while the third phase will involve the development of a water supply system to process and distribute up to 150,000 cubic meters of water daily to Kitui and Makueni counties As well as providing services to rural residents in parts of Machakos County.

The fourth and final phase of the project will involve the development of irrigation projects for up to 40,075 hectares of land in Kitui and Makueni counties.

The Thwake multifunctional dam project is jointly funded by the Kenyan government and the African Development Bank, and is considered a key driving force for the realization of the four GOK agendas and the 2030 vision blueprint.Editor/Huang Lijun