CS Muuga takes the heat over Thwake dam delay

Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Muuga on Wednesday surprised senators when he attributed the stalled construction of the Sh42.3 billion Thwake Dam to the Russia-Ukraine war and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Muuga, who appeared before the Senate plenary to answer questions, had a tough time convincing lawmakers how the war in Ukraine was connected to the delay in completing the dam, which is on the border of Makueni and Kitui counties.

Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo, who had sought an update on the dam’s construction, said he could not understand how the project, which stalled a year ago, was linked to the Ukraine war.

“I would like to inform the Senate that the Ukraine war and Covid-19 pandemic resulted in lack of explosives in the country and a scaled-down labour force respectively.

‘‘The increase in dam height and the weak foundation at the riverbed section necessitated additional works,” said Muuga.

Maanzo contradicted Muuga, pointing out that the project did not stall during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua questioned whether the contractor was on site after Muuga told the House that construction would resume.

“This reminds me of a few years ago when I loaned a friend money. Every time I followed up, he cited challenges caused by Covid-19. Last year, he started talking about the Ukraine war.

‘‘What is the connection between the war in Ukraine and a dam being constructed in Thwake?” posed Wambua.

Muuga explained that Thwake is a rock-filled dam, which will be the largest in the country with a storage capacity of 688 million cubic metres upon completion.

“I would like to inform the Senate that due to the Ukraine war, access to explosives required to blast the foundation of the rock bed is difficult, thus slowing construction,” said Muuga. He further explained that the weak foundation at the riverbed necessitated excessive excavation, requiring adequate time for embankment settlement.

“When constructing a dam of such magnitude, you must allow six to nine months for embankment settlement.

‘‘Without proper settlement, the concrete cracks, resulting in a weak dam,” he said.

He said the project will cost Sh42.3 billion, with the African Development Bank providing Sh35.6 billion and the Government of Kenya contributing Sh6.71 billion.

The dam was due for completion in December last year but remains unfinished.

He added that the contractor is required to complete all remaining works by October 30, 2025.

Muuga emphasised that completing the construction and implementing downstream components is critical to unlock the region’s economic potential by harnessing runoff water during rains.

When complete, the dam is expected to supply 150,000 cubic metres of water to 1.3 million people, including Konza Technopolis in Machakos County.

It will also generate 20 megawatts of hydropower and irrigate 100,000 acres.

According to Muuga, the areas to benefit from the dam include Wote Town, Mavindini, Kalawa, and Kathonzweni suburban centres in Makueni County.

Others are Kanyangi, Kalulini, Nthongoni, Kiusyani, and Kwavonza suburban areas in Kitui County.