By Fredrick Kioko,
Construction of the long-awaited Thwake Dam has resumed after the government secured Sh10.6 billion in fresh funding to facilitate the completion of the first phase of the multi-billion-shilling project.
The project had stalled for nearly two years due to financial challenges, raising concerns among residents and leaders from the region over further delays in the completion of a dam expected to transform water supply, agriculture and economic activities in the lower eastern region.
The resumption of construction works was announced by Engineer Samwel Alima from the Ministry of Water during an inspection tour of the project site.
Thwake Dam is being constructed at the confluence of the Thwake and Athi rivers along the boundary between Makueni and Kitui counties.
According to the Ministry of Water, the fresh funding is expected to enable the completion of key works remaining under the first phase of the project.
Among the major works expected to be completed are the construction of the dam wall and a bridge that will link Makueni and Kitui counties, as well as other supporting infrastructure.
The project has faced repeated delays over the years, largely due to funding constraints that have affected the pace of construction and pushed back completion timelines.
However, the latest financing, secured from the African Development Bank, has renewed hopes that the stalled sections of the project will now be completed and the dam brought closer to operationalisation.
The Thwake Dam project is currently reported to be more than 90 per cent complete, meaning only a small portion of the first phase remains unfinished.
Once completed, the project is expected to play a major role in addressing water challenges in the region while opening up opportunities for irrigation and other economic activities.
The dam is also expected to support development in communities surrounding the project and strengthen infrastructure links between Kitui and Makueni counties through the planned bridge.
The resumption of construction comes as the government intensifies efforts to complete stalled infrastructure projects across the country, with the focus increasingly shifting towards securing funding and ensuring that public investments are translated into tangible benefits for citizens.
For residents of Kitui, Makueni and other neighbouring areas, the return of construction activity at Thwake Dam brings renewed hope that a project that has faced years of delays may finally move closer to completion.
