An Sh20 billion dam project in Kwale has started construction thanks to funding from the World Bank and the Kenyan government.
The Mwache Multipurpose Dam project, when finished, will cut water demand in the Coast area by 54.7%, according to the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation. More than a million people in the counties of Mombasa, Kwale, and Kilifi would have access to potable water thanks to the dam, which would also support local agriculture.
Due to land disputes and issues with compensation, the project’s scheduled start date of November 2021 was postponed.
The dam would supply Kwale and Mombasa counties with 186,000 cubic meters of water each day, according to President William Ruto. The president stated that “the dam would be vital in strengthening water security, especially in times of drought and water scarcity.”
By August 2026, the dam on the Mwache River in Kwale County is anticipated to be completed and will play a significant role in Kenya’s national water infrastructure.
The 118 million cubic meters of water stored in the 87.5-meter-tall Mwache Dam are used for irrigation and water distribution. In Kwale, Kilifi, and Mombasa counties, the water supply is expected to get better as a result.
The effort is a crucial part of Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Kenya Kwanza Manifesto, which underline the significance of water security and sanitation in the nation’s development plan, according to the president.
According to the 2019 census, the Coast region is home to 4.329 million people and spans 83,040 km2.
When compared to the daily demand for water, which was 439,198 m3, water supply from all sources averaged 230,584 m3.
About the Water, Irrigation and Sanitation project, Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome stated that it will support industrial expansion, advance agriculture, and enhance the general standard of living for our people in the area.
The construction of 100 dams around the nation is a top priority, according to the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, in order to address issues with water security, food security, socioeconomic growth, and climate resilience.