[Cabinet Secretary for Water Eugene Wamalwa Speaking in Wote, Kitui County. (Photo- Brian Itava ]
President Uhuru Kenyatta will commission the construction of Sh 62 billion Thwake Dam on the border of Kitui and Makueni counties in January next year, Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa confirms.The project, touted as the biggest in the country, will be done in four phases.
The government signed a deal with China Gezhouba Group, the Chinese contractor tasked with undertaking the first phase of the project, last month at a ceremony witnessed by local leaders.
The Cabinet Secretary addressed Kitui, Makueni and Machakos counties as well as representatives of people affected by the project at a hotel in Wote Town, Makueni County, on the government's preparedness for the project.
"The government is committed to starting and completing this Vision 2030 flagship project," said Mr. Wamalwa.
As proposed, the dam will sit on the confluence of Thwake and Athi Rivers and is touted as the greatest water reservoir in the country and the region.
Governors Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni), Charity Ngilu (Kitui) and Alfred Mutua (Machakos) commended the government for showing commitment to undertake the project which, they noted, has the potential of transforming the largely semi-arid area.
According to Ms. Ngilu, the dam would address water shortages in Ukambani as well as ensure that the area is food sufficient once it is completed
Prof Kibwana called for closer cooperation between the contractor and local leaders, at one hand, and counties and the national government, on the other hand, to the enhance smooth undertaking of the mega project.
The local governments pledged to work closely with the national government to realize the dam project, with Ms. Ngilu expressing the readiness of the three counties to contribute money towards its completion.
The project ran into headwinds earlier this year following protracted infighting at the Ministry of Water raising the fear that it was set for shelving.