The Sh. 20 billion Mwache Multipurpose Dam project in Kwale County is set to begin construction in November after years of delays.
The project, which was initially contracted in August 2018, has faced numerous setbacks due to land compensation issues. However, Permanent Secretary for Water, Joseph Irungu, announced that the government has finally made a breakthrough in the construction of the dam.
Irungu stated that the government has sent money to the National Land Commission to finalize the compensation exercise, with the commission expected to complete the exercise by next week. This will enable the government to hand over the order of commencement to the contractor.
Area Governor Salim Mvurya revealed that a total of Sh. 4 billion will be used to compensate individuals who will permanently lose their parcels of lands to the mega dam project. Over 77 per cent of persons living in critical areas where the main dam will be constructed have already been compensated.
The project will require 1,600 acres of land and will involve the displacement of approximately 12,000 persons whose assets and livelihoods may be affected. The seven-year project, co-funded by the World Bank and the Kenya Government, is expected to eradicate water shortages in Kwale, Mombasa, and Kilifi counties.
‘‘We support this project wholeheartedly. We are very happy because this project will refurbish and replenish the economy of this county,’’ Mvurya said.
The Mwache Dam is an 87.5-meter-tall concrete gravity dyke, impounding 118 million cubic meters of water with a daily supply of 186,000 cubic meters of water. The massive dam once complete is also expected to put 2,600 hectares of land under irrigation in Kwale County and address the food shortage experienced in the county.
Irungu expressed gratitude to the residents of Mwache for supporting the project which is projected to change the economy of the coastal region.
‘‘This huge project will produce 186 million cubic liters per day to supply Kwale and Mombasa counties,’’ Irungu said.
The project is a significant investment by the National Government as a flagship project under the Vision 2030. Governor Mvurya expressed his gratitude to the national government for bringing in key projects in the county.
A visit to the site showed that Coast Development Authority (CDA) has completed activities around the project site such as tree planting, terracing, contour ploughing, rock terracing, gabion construction, and marking and pegging.
NLC Commissioner Kazungu Kambi said the commission is at the peak of finalizing issues of land compensation, with the commission having received funds from the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation.
