- The first phase is expected to ready by October.
- Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili said they are excited about the project because it will boost socio-economic empowerment of residents.
The Sh82 billion Thwake dam in Lower Eastern covering Makueni, Machakos and Kitui counties is 95 percent completion, Water CS Macharia Njeru has said.
This mega project funded by the government and the African Development Bank has now spent Sh22 billion, Njeru said during a site visit on Tuesday.
He said the government was impressed by the progress of the civil works and related activities within the dam. The first phase is expected to ready by October.
"The progress is impressive and encouraging. The government will be supportive to safeguard billions of taxpayers money being pumped into the this mega project," the CS said.
He commended the contractor for doing a good job amid challenges from Covid-19 and the rise in cost of most of the materials. The project was initially expected to end next month.
"I believe the contractor, China Gezhouba Group, was well-vetted and won the tender because he had the capacity, thus there should be no hiccups," Njeru said.
Makueni Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili said they are excited about the project because it will boost socio-economic empowerment of residents.
Makueni MP Susan Kiamba applauded the national government for the frequent visits to the site to ensure works were progressing well.
However, she urged that funds be made available for the second phase that involves water supply, sanitation and wastewater infrastructure to supply estimated 150,000m3 per day of treated water to approximately 1.3 million people, and for the third phase of hydropower generation.
Kiamba advised residents to be proactive and make plans to benefit from the dam she described as is a game changer.