Caption, a picture of Machakos Deputy County Governor Engineer Francis Maliti during the signing of contract of construction of Thwake dam. [Photo/Cyprian Muthoka]
Machakos Deputy County Governor Engineer Francis Maliti has signed a contract for construction of Thwake dam.
The dam will benefit the people of Machakos and will be constructed in a bid to stave off the impact of the potential crisis.
‘’Apart from supplying water for domestic use and irrigation, it will generate 20 Mega Watts of electricity. The dam is designed with a 77 Metre high crest and a dam tail of 20km from its wall,’’ said Maliti.
According to Maliti, the dam points to certain benefits such as holding back water during the winter floods and releasing it during the summer droughts as well as avoiding the emission of millions of tons of greenhouse gases from alternative thermal power plants.
The project has drawn widespread attention from environmental groups in Machakos which are concerned that it will increase downstream water flows.
Maliti was joined by Water CS Eugene Wamalwa, the Governor of Kitui H.E Madam Charity K. Ngilu, Makueni Deputy Governor H.E Adelina Mwau among other high ranking officials in witnessing the signing of the contract for construction of Thwake dam.