Kwale: The government has intensified efforts to complete the multi-billion-shilling Mwache Dam Project in Kwale County, with authorities projecting that the facility will begin impounding water by October this year to ease persistent water shortages in Mombasa and neighboring areas. Speaking during a monthly progress monitoring visit at the project site, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Water and Sanitation, Julius Korir, said construction works had gathered momentum and were progressing according to revised timelines following the alignment of financial resources.
According to Kenya News Agency, Korir mentioned that the contractor was operating on a 24-hour schedule to ensure the critical infrastructure project meets its targets ahead of the short rains expected later in the year. “The construction of this critical facility is moving at an exceptional pace, with the contractor working round the clock. Our engineering teams have mapped the critical path over the next six months, putting us on course to begin impounding and storing water as early as October and November,” said Korir. He noted that the government was finalizing a supplementary budget allocation to sustain the project’s momentum and avert potential cost escalations associated with delays.
Water Secretary and Project Manager Eng. Samwel Alima reported that the main dam structure had reached approximately 83 percent completion, with the embankment rising from an initial elevation of 30 meters to 87 meters above ground level. “We are only left with about 13 meters to attain the final dam height. Once we complete the remaining works and the spillway section, we shall be ready to impound water during the upcoming short rains,” he said. Alima explained that the Mwache Dam forms part of a broader strategy aimed at addressing chronic water shortages affecting Mombasa County by capturing and storing runoff from seasonal heavy rainfall events.
Beyond the dam structure, the Ministry is implementing a multi-phase water distribution program to ensure the harvested water reaches consumers across the coastal region. The second phase entails construction of a water treatment plant located approximately half a kilometer downstream from the dam site. Alima said the contract had already been signed, with the contractor expected to commence work within weeks. Once operational, the treatment plant will process 186,000 cubic meters of water daily, equivalent to 186 million liters, before pumping it to a major storage facility at Mazeras for onward distribution.
The third phase involves the development of an extensive pipeline network comprising separate lines serving the South Coast, the North Coast, and the mainland-to-island corridor. Alima disclosed that procurement processes for the South Coast pipeline had been concluded, with contractors already mobilizing to site following payment of advance funds. Preparations for the remaining two pipeline contracts are ongoing. “We believe that within the next one and a half years, the treatment plant and distribution systems will be substantially complete, enabling residents to benefit from the additional water supply,” he stated.
The project is expected to supply approximately 166,000 cubic meters of water per day to Mombasa County, while 20,000 cubic meters daily will be allocated to communities living around the dam in Kwale County. To support local livelihoods, the Ministry is also constructing 16 water pans to provide watering points for livestock and improve water accessibility in surrounding areas.
Deputy Project Manager and Programmes Secretary, Eng. Hosea Wendot, said significant progress had also been made in implementing social infrastructure projects intended to mitigate the impact of displacement occasioned by the dam’s construction. He said replacement facilities, including schools, early childhood development centers, a health clinic, and a police station, were nearing completion. “The Fulugani school is complete and awaiting handover to the administration. At Nunguni School, only minor work remains before completion. The ECDE center, clinic, and police post are also at advanced stages,” said Wendot.
Wendot noted that the project incorporates livelihood restoration initiatives targeting more than 3,000 Project Affected Persons (PAPs), including support for small-scale farmers through agricultural training and farm inputs, as well as economic empowerment programmes such as the distribution of motorcycles to local operators. The Ministry commended the collaboration between the National Land Commission, the World Bank, contractors, and local communities in advancing the flagship project. Once complete, the Mwache Dam is expected to significantly enhance water security in the Coast region, support socio-economic development, and improve the quality of life for thousands of households in Mombasa and Kwale counties.
