The government will ensure smooth implementation of Thwake Multipurpose Water Development Program through continuous collaboration between the county government, the local administration and key stakeholders.
Makueni County Commissioner (CC) Beverly Opwora has said the national government will support the implementation and completion of the life-changing project being funded by the Government of Kenya (GoK) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).
“There is goodwill from the local community and they are looking forward to the completion of this project. My office will collaborate with the county government and other stakeholders so that we strategise to tackle emerging challenges and issues. This project will change millions of lives and the government is seeing it as an anchor to the reduction of poverty, creation of jobs and a pillar to socio-economic improvement of residents of the lower Easter Region,” she said.
The county commissioner said this when the members of Thwake Dam National Programme Steering Committee (NPSC) paid her a courtesy call at her Wote office on Thursday.
She lauded the steering committee for embracing synergy and team work, which is key towards completion of the project.
On his part, the Thwake Dam Programme Implementation Team (PIT) Coordinator Eng. David Onyango thanked the office of the Makueni County Commissioner for ensuring smooth implementation of the project.
“Your predecessors contributed to the successful implementation of this project and as NPSC, we appreciate the support. Issues of compensation of Project Affected Persons (PAPs) have been steered seamlessly, thanks to the former county commissioners. We are happy most of the PAPs are now settled and we look forward to continuous working relationship with your office,” said Eng. Onyango who was accompanied by a section of NPSC members during the visit.
NPSC members present included the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tanathi Water Services Board Eng Fredrick Mwamati, Mr William Mwangi (Ministry of Energy), Mr Gamaliel Omondi (Health), Pamela Ongwae (Information), Eng. Erick Okello (National Construction Authority) and Fred Nyongesa (Water Sources Authority).
The Thwake Multipurpose Project is being implemented in four phases at the confluence of Rivers Athi and Thwake.
The first phase covers the construction of 80.5 metres high multi-purpose hydropower generating system, with an installed capacity of 20MW, development of water supply, sanitation and waste water infrastructure to supply an estimated 150,000 M3 per day to 1.3 million people.
This water will be to irrigate 100,000 acres of land to improve food security in the area, thus enabling residents to become self-reliant.
By Patrick Nyakundi
