The Ministry f Environment, Water and Natural Resources has called on interested persons to tender their Expression of Interest to various positions as part of the Project Implementation Team (PIT) for the development of phase 1 of a 76m high dam. The dam is to be constructed on the confluence of the Athi and Thwake Rivers.
The PIT will be responsible for the coordination of land compensation and all Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) and related activities. They will also coordinate with the supervision consultant and civil works contractor to ensure all the studies identified to enhance the Phase 1 of the project are undertaken.
The dam project,first proposed in 1953 is being financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB).It will be constructed in Kitui, Machakos County. According to AfDB, the dam has been designed with full reservoir storage of 825mcm with live storage of 594mcm covering an area of 2,933ha.
The project in subsequent phases will also see to further downstream interventions including water supply and sanitation for surrounding districts, energy generation, irrigation development and water supply to Konza ICT City.
A total of 20MW of power supply is expected from the dam. Two turbines with rated capacity of 10MW each have been recommended. The gross operating head will vary between 70m and 50m, and at times it will be necessary for the turbines to function below their rated capacity.
The water supply component of approximately 300,000 m3/day will serve population living in an areas of approximately 550 km2 in Mavindini, Kanithuni, Kitise, Kithuki locations and parts of Kathonzweni and Mbuvo locations in Makueni district, lower Yatta in Kitui district and proposed Konza ICT city in Machakos district. It is estimated that at the ultimate design period in 2030 the project will benefit some 2,000, 000 people.
The project will also provide for water borne sewerage facilities for Wote, Kathonzweni, Makindu Kibwezi towns Mtito-Andei and proposed Konza ICT city. The Thwake project does not include construction of the rising mains for supply to the Konza ICT city, it will be funded from the GoK support independent of this project.
Concerning water for irrigation, the dam will supply 24,000 m3/day of water to new irrigation schemes targeting the small scale farmers. It will also be used to stabilize the flows for the downstream irrigation scheme at Kibwezi. The Kibwezi scheme will be a secondary beneficially as it will draw the water after being released from the dam. The Kibwezi scheme covers an area of approximately 21,000 hectares which is divided into four blocks of varying acreage. The scheme is located in Ngwata Location in Kibwezi District 90 km downstream of Thwake dam site. Besides there is adequate arable land downstream which with improved flows in the river is likely to be developed for irrigation. The dam will benefit small scale farmers through provision of irrigation canals.
The positions advertised are- program coordinator, senior procurement expert, social development and a finance management expert. Eligible candidates are to tender their papers before 10th of April this year. The PIT will be located in Kitui but will report to the Principal Secretary, State Department of water.
