GDS officers inspect Thwake Development Scheme as government moves to fast-track Project

Government Delivery Services (GDS) Officers carried out a site verification visit to Thwake Multipurpose Water Development Project in Makueni County to take stock of the project’s status.
The visit underscores the GDS unit’s mandate of monitoring and evaluating government projects, programmes and policies in service of the people of Kenya.
The Team was led by GDS Infrastructure Lead Director Peter Kitheka, backed by GDS Delivery Deputy Director for the Lower Eastern Region, James Ikamati.
The Team was received by Makueni County Commissioner, Henry Wafula, who stated that despite various challenges, the government is working to fast-track the program, particularly Phase One, which involves the construction of Thwake Dam.
Commissioner Wafula was accompanied by key stakeholders, including: Engineer David Onyango, who attended the session on behalf of the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation; Resident Engineer Dr. Negede Kassa; Assistant Resident Engineer Kinyua Martin and Deputy Project Manager Li Junwei, among others.
The Thwake Dam project had stalled due to various logistical issues. 
The government, through GDS and other multi-agency stakeholders, has been working to get it back on track to ensure its completion within the stipulated time-frame.
Thwake Dam is slated to be the second-largest dam in Kenya once it is completed. 
The entire project, including the Dam, is jointly funded by the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank.
Its implementation is being carried out by the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, and global construction firm, Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation (SMEC), while its construction is being undertaken by China Gezhouba Group Company, Limited (CGGC).
Phase One of the project, which involves the construction of the dam and appurtenant (accessory) structures, is currently 91% complete. The impact of this project cannot be understated as it is also expected to provide employment opportunities in the region. 
Phase Two of the project will involve the construction of a hydropower and transmission line with a capacity of 20 megawatts (MW).
Phase Three will involve the construction of water supply and sanitation facilities targeting a population of 1.3 million people. 
Finally, Phase Four will involve an irrigation initiative targeting 40,000 hectares (Ha) of land.