AfDB Approves New Funding for Kenya’s Thwake Dam Project

Located in Kenya’s lower-eastern region, the Thwake project is expected to play a major role in improving water access and strengthening climate resilience in the semi-arid counties of Kitui and Makueni.

The African Development Bank Group has approved €68.39 million in additional financing to support the completion of Kenya's Thwake Multipurpose Water Development Program Phase I, one of the country's largest infrastructure projects under its Vision 2030 development strategy.

The funding was approved by the Bank's Board of Directors on 22 May and is intended to ensure the project is completed according to its original design while maintaining long-term safety and operational sustainability. Construction of the project is already around 90 per cent complete. The new financing package includes a €64.20 million loan from the African Development Bank, €4.2 million from the African Development Fund and €15 million in counterpart funding from the Government of Kenya.

Project Set to Boost Water, Food and Energy Security

Located in Kenya's lower-eastern region, the Thwake project is expected to play a major role in improving water access and strengthening climate resilience in the semi-arid counties of Kitui and Makueni. Once operational, the dam will be capable of supplying up to 150,000 cubic metres of clean water every day to approximately 1.3 million people. It will also support irrigation across 40,000 hectares of farmland, helping increase agricultural production and improve food security.

In addition, the project will generate 20 megawatts of renewable hydropower, contributing to Kenya's efforts to expand clean energy generation and reduce reliance on more expensive power sources. The additional funding will support important engineering upgrades, including raising the height of the dam, strengthening its foundations and constructing two additional saddle dams designed to improve safety and long-term resilience.

Communities Already Seeing Benefits

Beyond its future impact on water and energy supply, the project has already delivered benefits to surrounding communities during the construction phase. Development activities have created employment opportunities for local residents, including women and young people, while also supporting improvements in schools, healthcare facilities and water infrastructure in the region. The project is also expected to reduce flood risks in parts of the Athi River catchment area and contribute to better sanitation and public health outcomes.

African Development Bank officials described the investment as critical to ensuring the project reaches its full potential. They noted that the focus is now on protecting the integrity of the infrastructure and ensuring communities receive the long-term benefits originally envisioned. When completed, the Thwake Dam is expected to significantly increase Kenya's national water storage capacity, strengthen agricultural productivity, expand renewable energy access and support economic development across the region. The project is scheduled for completion in September 2028.