This archive report was first published on 7 May 2020.
Construction of the multibillion Thwake dam in Makueni County is ongoing, with 32% of the work done as of August 2019.
According to Apopo Lentana, the main contractor from China Ghezouba Company, engineers have embarked on major works at the site, including erecting a mega tunnel to divert River Athi waters to dry land for excavation works at the main river base.
“We are currently at 32% and we will compensate on time lost during this period of the pandemic. Sometimes we work to 24 hours when need be. By the end of this year, we will have completed the tunnels,” said Lentana.
The slow work rate is attributed to the decongestion of the site, where the number of employees was reduced from 1,200 to about 700 workers.
Once the two tunnels are built, they will be used as a substitute waterway where the river will change course and join at downstream the original path to the ocean.
“Once the river is diverted, there will be the building of a rock field dam wall that will be 87 metres high, then making of main and minor spillways for excess water flow,” said Lentana.
As part of ensuring the safety of workers and the community, the company carries out routine screening of workers, issues masks, and reaches out to the community to ensure everyone around the project is safe against Covid-19.
“We do regular check-ups to our employees and the community around here to ensure everyone is safe and no Covid-19 fears which might derail works of the project”, he added.
