Thwake Dam

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Thwake Dam
CountryKenya
StatusOperational
Designed byChina Gezhouba Group Company

The Thwake Dam or Thwake Multi-purpose Water Development Programme is a dam complex being built on the Athi River in Kenya.[1][2] The dam is meant to be a multipurpose dam that provides drinking water, agricultural irrigation water, hydropower, and other water supply infrastructure.[1] Water storage is 688 million cubic metres, and is meant for rural homes, Konza and other local jurisdictions.[1][2] The dam cost KSh. 37 billion and is being built by the China Gezhouba Group Company.[3] The Funding was provided by the African Development Fund.[4]

Water pollution concerns[edit]

The need for potable water from the dam led to a number of conservation projects upstream, trying to create better clean water, such as in Ondiri Wetland.[3] Moreover, many industries had been discharging directly into the river.[3] In July 2021, the dam was criticized by auditor Nancy Gathungu for the lack of clean and safe water to be retained due to pollution locations like Athi River.[1][5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Otieno, Jullias. "Uhuru: Thwake Dam construction will be complete by June next year". The Star. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  2. ^ a b "Thwake Multi-purpose Dam project timeline and all you need to know". Construction Review Online. 2021-07-13. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  3. ^ a b c Koech, Gilbert (25 October 2020). "Nema shifts focus to Athi after Nairobi River cleaned up". The Star. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  4. ^ "Kenya - Thwake Multi-purpose Water Development Programme – Phase I". projectsportal.afdb.org. Retrieved 2021-07-27.
  5. ^ "Sh81b Thwake Dam project water 'unfit for human use'". People Daily. 2021-06-30. Retrieved 2021-07-27.