Sh20 billion Mwache Dam to end coast water woes
Mwache Multi-Purpose Dam is one of the country's most significant water infrastructure investments
The Sh20 billion Mwache Multipurpose Dam in Kwale County is now more than 80 per cent complete, marking a major milestone in efforts to improve water security and boost agricultural productivity in Kenya’s coastal region.
Once completed, the flagship infrastructure project is expected to address persistent water shortages in Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi counties directly benefiting over 1.6 million people and significantly improving access to clean water for domestic, agricultural and industrial purposes.
It will also provide a reliable water reservoir for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. The dam is also anticipated to contribute significantly to regional and national socio-economic development by supporting livelihoods, enhancing food security and stimulating economic growth.
The project encompasses the construction of the main dam, a lower check dam, administrative offices, health facilities, a police post, schools and other essential infrastructure designed to improve the welfare of surrounding communities and spur local development.
Funded jointly by the World Bank and the Government of Kenya, the project is scheduled for full completion by October 2026.
According to the Water Secretary and Project Manager Eng. Samwel Alima, the main dam structure had reached approximately 83 per cent completion, with the embankment rising from an initial elevation of 30 metres to 87 metres above ground level.
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“We are only left with about 13 metres 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.
The second phase of the project entails construction of a water treatment plant located approximately half a kilometer downstream from the dam site. Construction is expected to commence in the coming weeks.
The dam is expected to supply 186,000 cubic meters of water daily to the three counties and also put up to 7,000 acres (over 2,600 hectares) of land under sustainable irrigation, shifting the region away from vulnerable, rain-fed agriculture
“The water treatment component will abstract 186,000 cubic meters per day from the dam. After treatment, the water will be conveyed to Mazeras and then distributed to various parts of Mombasa County,” said Alima.
To support local livelihoods, the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation is also constructing 16 water pans to provide watering points for livestock and improve water accessibility in surrounding areas.
The Mwache Dam project was first conceived in 1995 as a long-term solution to the Coast region's water challenges. After years of funding challenges, its construction was eventually commissioned in 2023 by President William Ruto, paving the way for one of the country's most significant water infrastructure investments.
