Water CS pledges to ensure completion of Thwake dam
Eastern
By
Stephen Nzioka
| Oct 01, 2024
Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa has assured that the government is working to ensure completion of the stalled Thwake dam in Makueni county.
Mugaa revealed that the government has engaged the African Development Bank (AfDB) to secure funds to construct the dam.
"We want to push all stakeholders involved to ensure that we complete this project. Fiscal financial space we are currently operating in as a nation is cutting across all the ministries and therefore, Water and Sanitation is not spared. This is why we are in constant communication with the AfDB to fast-track payment of pending certificates so that the contractor can complete the work," said the CS.
He was speaking on Monday after inspecting the dam, which has faced financial challenges following design variation of about Sh9.2 billion.
The CS assured of his ministry's commitment to fast-track processing of the pending Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs).
READ MORE
StanChart launches China, Kenya corridor to boost SME growth, cross-border trade
Lake Victoria South Water Agency reviews Itare-Litein water supply agreements
'Historic day': Artemis astronauts break space distance record
Motorist ferrying suspected smuggled ethanol arrested
Kenya launches campaign, extends amnesty to citizens in Russian military
Failed mission: Mudavadi returns from Moscow empty-handed
Police arrest suspects, recover suspected narcotics
Residents torch sugarcane plantation and tractor in grazing dispute
The AfDB-GoK funded multi-billion project, is expected to benefit close to 1.3 million residents drawn from the rural parts of lower eastern counties of Makueni, Kitui and parts of Machakos.
"The project has made significant progress of more than 94 per cent of the phase 1 and is likely to be completed mid next year," the CS said.
Mugaa was accompanied by Water and Sanitation Principal Secretary Julius Korir, Water Secretary Samuel Alima, the contractor, the consultant and a section of the implementation team.
He noted that the State has allocated Sh17 billion for the water supply component and Sh2.4 billion for the irrigation component.
The first phase, which involved construction of 80.5m high multi-purpose dam with a storage of 688m m3 of water, gobbled more than Sh4 billion.
Thwake Multipurpose Water Development Program is designated as a Vision 2030 project by the Government of Kenya.
It is anchored on the State's agenda to fulfill the long-term country's development ambition in the areas of water, energy, agriculture and flood mitigation.
School Games: Ng'iya, Kisumu Day make semis as national hockey champs Tigoi bow out
Nyanza Region champions Ng’iya Girls and Kisumu Day are through to the semifinals of the Brookside National Secondary School Term One gamesSchool Games: Kakamega face Upper Hill as Yala renew rivalry with Kisii in rugby
Kakamega High School will face off with Upper Hill in the Brookside National Secondary School rugby 15s semifinals on Friday, as St Mary’s School Yala renew their rivalry with Kisii School.School Games: Newbies St Mary's Yala make semis as Butere to face Barchando
St Mary’s Yala finished top of Group B after seeing off Friends School Kamusinga 74-72 to make the last four on Thursday at Kisumu Polytechnic Grounds.AFC's Ambani and Rangers star Macharia clinch monthly awards
AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani and Posta Rangers forward Jackson Macharia named SportPesa Premier League Coach and Player of the Month for March respectively.Bingwafest boosts athletes' preparation ahead of major events
Bingwa Fests prepare athletes for other major athletic events in the country and internationally.MOST READ
School Games: Ng'iya, Kisumu Day make semis as national hockey champs Tigoi bow out
HOCKEY