Thwake Multi-purpose Dam Project eyes for a start

Last Updated 13 years ago by Kenya Engineer

The Government of Kenya has applied for financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB) toward the cost of the Thwake Multi-Purpose Water Development Program Phase 1 and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this loan to payments under the contract for consulting services for design review and construction supervision of Thwake dam, and preparation of final designs of the hydropower works. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (MEWNR) has invited qualified consultants to indicate their interest in providing the design and supervision services open until 23rd October 2013.

The services included under this project are checking the layout, design and stability of a 77m tall by 1.6km long rockfill dam, a 60 m tall intake tower, three 2,000mm diameter penstocks plus two 1,200 mm diameter pipes for irrigation and water supply, a 50m wide and 900m long concrete spillway, an emergency fuse-plug spillway, site access roads and minor works. 

The estimated Ksh9.2 billion project is under the Tanathi Water Services Board (TAWSB) and entails harnessing of the fluctuating flows of the Athi River and the seasonal water from Thwake River. The dam will provide water supply for domestic, livestock, irrigation, hydropower and even industrial activities in the beneficiary districts. It will largely serve Makueni district with Kalawa, Kathonzweni, Kibwezi and Makindu as the main target areas. Other areas to benefit include sections of Wote, Nguu and Mutito Adei areas. 

Thwake Dam was first proposed for construction in 1953 and again in the 1980s but the project was never undertaken. However, there have been significant numbers of intervention projects in water and sanitation have been undertaken in Makueni district and other areas but the problem of water shortage continues to worsen particularly with regard to its sustainable availability. (Read also: Dam Project for Makueni)