Thwake dam waters critical in Konza city development plans
Water from the multi-billion shilling Thwake Multipurpose Dam will be a critical element and a big game-changer to the development of the ongoing Konza Technopolis City in Makueni County.
Speaking during a tour of the project which is jointly funded by the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Principal Secretary, State Department of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs Jerome Ochieng, said availability of clean, efficient and reliable water from Thwake Multipurpose Water Development Programme will be a big boost to Konza Technopolis City, currently under construction.
“Efficient, clean and reliable water from Thwake Multipurpose Dam will be a key element that will ensure Konza dream is realised.
As part of a multi-agency approach within the national government, we as Konza City team came to agree with the technical team over here on logistics and we are looking forward to get the much-needed water from Thwake Multipurpose Dam.
We are also putting our request to the County Government of Makueni on the need for collaboration and prudent supply of efficient, reliable and clean water for Konza,” said the PS during a tour of the project.
He was accompanied by Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, Makueni County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed, Chairman Konza Technopolis Board of Directors Dr Reuben Mutiso, Managing Director John Tanui and KoTDA board members.
The PS lauded the works so far accomplished at 43.4 percent against a time lapse of 54 percent saying it meant there is synergy and collaboration from all stakeholders to ensure the project is completed within given timelines despite challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have also agreed to have internship programs for students in order to build local capacities and transfer of knowledge and technical exchange in the spirit of “Buy-Kenya-Build Kenya.”
“This is a key project because it will answer the critical water question both to the local community and beyond Makueni.
We are an interested party because of the concern and interest we have in this project.
Furthermore, provision of power and irrigation components are other elements which will change lives of over 1.3 million residents of this area and even beyond, these are important to us as a country,” he said.
Kibwana echoed Ochieng’s sentiments promising to facilitate the smooth implementation of Thwake Multipurpose Water Development Programme.
