Sh20B Mwache multipurpose dam project at 90pc completion

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Construction of the Sh20 billion Mwache multipurpose dam project is progressing steadily with the dam’s construction currently at 90 percent completion.

The Mwache Multipurpose Dam Project in Kwale County is being implemented to strengthen water security and support sustainable economic growth across the coastal region.

Implemented under the Coast Region Water Security and Climate Resilience Project, the dam is poised to become a transformative asset for the coast region, unlocking growth and strengthening resilience against climate-related shocks.

The Mwache Dam remains a flagship investment in strengthening water security in the Coast region and is expected to significantly enhance reliable water supply while supporting socio-economic development in the region.

The Coast Water Supply Master Plan has identified the dam as a preferential, viable, sustainable, and essential long-term option for water supply to Mombasa and Kwale counties.

The Mwache Multipurpose Dam is a flagship project advancing the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) by strengthening water security, driving economic growth, creating jobs, and building climate resilience for communities along the coast region.

Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Eng. Eric Mugaa says the government has made significant progress in implementing the flagship dam project, which he termed as ‘an engineering marvel in the making.’

Eng. Mugaa says once the dam project is complete, it will go a long way in strengthening coastal regions’ water security, enhancing climate resilience, and promoting sustainable socio-economic development.

“The dam marks another significant milestone in the government’s efforts to improve water security, strengthen climate resilience, and enhance the livelihoods of coastal communities,” he said.

He said its catchment and physical layout integrate upper and lower watershed systems, sediment-trapping check dams, an irrigation development area, and downstream delivery networks for Mombasa and Kwale.

“We must commend the progress of work so far given that dam construction is naturally capital-intensive and technically complex,” he said.

He, at the same time, directed the project team and contractor to maintain the current momentum and ensure the remaining works are completed to the highest standards and within the set timelines.

The minister said the construction of the dam reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to investing in strategic water infrastructure that supports sustainable socio-economic development and improves the quality of life of the citizenry.

He emphasized that water remains one of the country’s most strategic resources for national development, underpinning food and nutrition security, climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic advancement.

CS Mugaa said the dam will store up to 136 billion liters of water and supply approximately 186 million liters of treated clean water daily to households, industries, and institutions across Kwale and Mombasa counties, serving more than 1.6 million residents.

He said the 84-meter-high roller-compacted concrete gravity dam continues to take shape at unparalleled speed bringing closer to “delivering a reliable water supply to the coast region.”

“Construction of the main dam has now surpassed 90 percent completion. Works are advancing steadily toward the scheduled commencement of reservoir impoundment by October 2027,’ he said.

He added, “However, impoundment will not mark the end of construction works on the dam, and other project components will continue alongside the controlled storage of water.”

He said the Mwache Multipurpose Dam project complements existing networks by adding a massive new supply of 186,000 cubic meters of treated water daily, and rather than physically merging into the old pipes, it acts as a major independent bulk source to relieve the severe deficits faced by water systems tied to Mzima Springs, Marere, and Baricho.

Mzima Springs, Marere, and Baricho are the major bulk water supply sources for Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi counties and managed collectively via infrastructure linked to the Coast Water Works Development Agency.

These three systems tap into natural underground and riverbed aquifers across different counties to supply millions of litres of water daily.

The CS, who was accompanied by the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Water and Sanitation Julius Korir and Eng. Samwel Alima, the Water Secretary, was speaking after conducting an inspection visit at the Mwache dam site in Kinango sub-county of Kwale to assess the progress of ongoing works.

“This is truly a sight to behold and an engineering marvel, as the Mwache dam is the only Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) dam project in East Africa,” he said, adding that the government is accelerating its strategy to strengthen its water infrastructure.

Eng. Mugaa said using advanced RCC technology allows fast placement of zero-slump concrete compacted by heavy vibratory rollers, speeding up construction of the 84-meter-high structure ahead of its planned October 2026 impoundment.

The CS said the commitment for water harvesting and storage is still alive by constructing 50 large dams, 200 medium dams, and over 1,000 small dams across the country.

“This strategy shifts focus toward irrigation-backed farming to fight drought and climate change impacts,” he said.

The CS said the plan to construct water dams is to ensure a fairer distribution of water resources across the country and mitigate the impact of declining rainfall and low reservoir levels.

The PS said the Mwache dam project is being fast-tracked to strengthen water security for Mombasa and Kwale counties.

“Once completed, the dam will store up to 136 million cubic metres of water and support the supply of approximately 186,000 cubic metres of treated water per day to both counties,” he said.

PS Korir said investments in water projects across the country, such as the mega Mwache dam project, are essential in helping communities withstand the effects of periodic droughts and erratic rainfall while strengthening resilience to climate change.

He said the Mwache dam project aligns with the national government’s development agenda of ensuring that no region is left behind in accessing safe, reliable, and sustainable water resources.

The PS said the overall project completion now stands at 82 per cent, while the main dam has reached 90 percent completion, and the lower check dam stands at 88 percent.

Eng. Samuel Alima said once impoundment begins, water will gradually be stored in the reservoir until it reaches the required operating capacity.

Eng. Alima, who is also the project manager for Mwache Dam, said upon completion, Mwache Dam will supply 186,000 cubic metres of water per day to Kwale and Mombasa counties, significantly enhancing water security for households and industries and supporting economic growth across the Coast region.

“We are ready to impound the water. The progress achieved so far reflects the commitment of the Project team and all stakeholders to delivering this transformative Project on schedule,’ he said

By Hussein Abdullahi

Reporting originally appeared via Kenya News Agency. Read the full source for additional context.