No major dams completed, CS Muuga reveals

Water and Sanitation Cabinet Secretary Eric Muuga.[Courtesy]

The government has yet to complete the construction of any major dams, despite a pledge to build more than 1,000, Water and Sanitation Cabinet Secretary Eric Muuga told the Senate on Wednesday.

Appearing before lawmakers, Muuga admitted that the Kenya Kwanza administration has not delivered on its promise to develop large-scale water infrastructure nationwide.

“While we do have some dams currently under construction, they are facing financial challenges, and none have been completed so far,” he said, adding, “we have some ongoing, especially large dams, namely Mwache, Thwake, and Umma. Some have stalled due to financial challenges.” 

The Water CS noted that major water infrastructure projects are capital-intensive and were initially intended to be implemented through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).

However, he reported some progress on smaller dams, citing Kamumu, Thuci, and Ndambana as examples.

Kamumu Dam is undergoing finalisation through a Cabinet memo pending approval. 

For Thuci Dam, the Ministry is working with the PPP Directorate and National Treasury to fast-track evaluation and approvals. At Ndambana Dam, a new procurement process has begun after the initial proponent failed to meet mandatory deposit requirements under the PPP framework.

In its manifesto, the Kenya Kwanza administration committed to constructing 100 large dams and 1,000 medium-sized ones to expand irrigation to three million acres and provide water to six million households. 

The plan also includes building more than 4,000 additional dams and water pans to supplement the existing 6,000 on public and private land.