Senate grills CS Eric Murithi Mugaa on Thwake Dam delays and PAPS compensation

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

The Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, Eng. Eric Murithi Mugaa has reappeared before the Senate to address questions from Senators after his previous responses were deemed unsatisfactory and rejected. 

Makueni County Senator Dan Maanzo asked the Cabinet Secretary for an update on Thwake Dam’s construction and the reason for delays.

The Cabinet Secretary confirmed that the 80.5-meter-high Thwake Multipurpose Dam (688 MCM capacity) is 94.2% complete and has not stalled, but work has slowed to allow the embankment to settle before installing the Concrete Face Slab. With material hauling completed, heavy machinery activity has reduced, unlike during peak construction, when 77 trucks, 21 rigs, and 31 excavators were in use.

On measures the Government has put in place to ensure the timely completion of the dam, the CS stated that the remaining works, including Concrete Face Slab placement, Spillway Bridge, and Hydro-mechanical equipment installation, were set to begin once the embankment settlement stabilized at 5mm per month, as advised by the Dam Safety Panel of Experts (DSPE). By 30th January 2025, this threshold was met, and the contractor was instructed to proceed. 

“The Government through the National Treasury has written to the African Development Bank to avail adequate resources for the completion of the Dam. The Bank has commenced a routine contract appraisal to determine resources required for the completion of the dam. African Development Board approval is expected in April 2025 for effectiveness in May 2025.” Said CS Mugaa. 

The house was informed that the contractor has been directed to complete all works by 30th October 2025, with the first water impoundment set for December 2025; and a revised work plan is under evaluation, and the government has ensured adequate funding, expert supervision, and full mobilization of project teams to oversee construction and completion.

“Hon. Speaker, the government has endured there is adequate supplementary budget, adequate financing through additional financing request; fully mobilized consultant, Dam Safety Panel of Experts and Project Implementation Team for supervising the works and guiding in the overall operation of the construction Management.” Posed the CS.

CS Mugaa provided a list of land owners who granted wayleaves for the Lower Kuja Irrigation Development project in Nyatike Sub-County, Migori county as requested by Senator Eddy Oketch. 

Responding to question raised by Migori County Senator Eddy Oketch on respective amounts due to each as compensation, the CS stated that the National Irrigation Authority engaged the services of GIBB Africa Ltd, GEDO Associates and also the Ministry Lands and Physical Planning in the identification and valuation of parcels of land required for the construction of the irrigation infrastructure. In total, 2,790 PAPs were identified, and the total valuation amount was KShs.206,014,719.80.

“To date, the National Irrigation Authority has compensated 1,273 No. f PAPs and paid KShs.77,313,863.82 leaving a balance of KShs.128,700,856.00 for land belonging to 1,517 No. PAPs. Already, 9,292 acres have been put under irrigation for the already acquired wayleaves.” he added.

CS Mugaa stated that the delay in compensating Project-Affected Persons (PAPs) has been primarily due to budget constraints, leading to litigation cases that have further stalled the process. To resolve this, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) sought guidance from the National Land Commission (NLC), which conducted a field visit from 18th to 22nd November 2024. On 5th February 2025.

In his submission, the NLC provided the following directives for finalizing compensation: immediate payment of Kshs. 68 million from available funds. Addressing wayleave land acquisition for title holders and PAPs who previously declined offers, establishing a Grievance Resolution Mechanism involving key stakeholders, conducting a final survey, and securing land titles in collaboration with the NLC

The Cabinet Secretary attributed the project delays to budgetary constraints, land valuation disputes, and legal challenges. Limited funding for land compensation and irrigation infrastructure has slowed progress despite efforts to engage development partners.

The Ministry remains committed to compensating all landowners and has proposed an out-of-court settlement. The total budget required for the remaining 10,000 acres is KShs. 2.72 billion, to be disbursed in phases starting in the 2025/2026 financial year.

The Cabinet Secretary urged the Senate to support budget allocation to ensure the timely and successful completion of the project.