Sign in with Google 
This article is part of a series produced in collaboration with the African Development Bank in light of its sixtieth anniversary. Please visit our dedicated portal to read about the Bank's history and its activities on the continent.
The Thwake Multipurpose Water Development Program in Kenya is a landmark initiative showcasing the African Development Bank’s commitment to transforming lives and advancing regional development goals. The Bank is a principal funder and partner in the Thwake project, alongside the Kenyan government and other local stakeholders.
Located at the border of Kenya’s Makueni and Kitui counties, the Thwake Dam is a massive infrastructure endeavour set to supply water to over 1.3 million people, generate 20MW of hydropower, and support the irrigation of 40,000 hectares of farmland. It aligns it directly with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and is expected to be a game-changer for the Lower Eastern region.
A gamechanger in reaching universal access to water in Kenya
According to Engineer Samuel Alima, Water Secretary at Kenya’s Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, the project is “a key flagship project, a legacy project, and a game changer whose full implementation will change lives of thousands of residents in Makueni and Kitui counties as well as neighbouring areas”. It will also bring Kenya closer to meeting its 2030 goal of universal access to water in the country.
The project is currently nearing 85% completion and at a recent site visit, Alima emphasised the Kenyan government’s commitment to the timeline, recognizing that each day of progress brings tangible benefits closer for the surrounding communities. Nancy Ogal, task manager for the project who was also on the visit, urged the contractors to complete the project by the 8th December deadline. The team noted that a lot of progress had been made, with the spillway nearing completion, while the embankment bank is at 68% completion; the low-level outlet at 58%; and the intake tower at 40%.
Program aligns with the Bank’s High 5s and AU’s Agenda 2063
The Thwake Multipurpose Water Development Program aligns with four pillars of the African Development Bank’s High 5s. With 20 MW of hydropower capacity, it supports the “Light Up and Power Africa” goal by contributing renewable energy to Kenya’s grid. The irrigation infrastructure will “Feed Africa” by making arid lands in Makueni and Kitui counties fertile, boosting food security and agricultural productivity. It also advances “Industrialize Africa” by providing reliable water and power to attract industries and create jobs for local youth. Finally, by supplying potable water to 1.3 million people, the project will “Improve the Lives of the People of Africa,” enhancing living standards and resilience against drought.
It is also in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which seeks sustainable water resource management to bolster socio-economic growth and cooperation across the continent. As the Bank’s East Africa Director General, Nnenna Nwabufo, pointed out during a similar site visit in 2022, “we see opportunities for investors to set up industries and create jobs for the youth in the various sectors.”
By providing reliable infrastructure, the Thwake Dam will help drive investment, support Kenya’s goal of universal access to water by 2030, and address critical climate and economic challenges. Its successful implementation is likely to provide a massive economic boost to the region, while reinforcing the Bank’s vision for a prosperous and inclusive Africa.
This article is part of a series produced in collaboration with the African Development Bank in light of its sixtieth anniversary. Please visit our dedicated portal to read about the Bank’s history and its activities on the continent.
