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A weekly development news platform published by UrgeDevWire, produced by Urge Communications. Covering wider East African region.

Dev-News Desk | UrgeDevWire | East Africa

NAIROBI — 22 May 2026 (reported 12 June 2026)

The African Development Bank Group's Board of Directors approved 68.39 million euros in additional financing on 22 May 2026 to secure the completion and long-term sustainability of Kenya's Thwake Multipurpose Water Development Program Phase I. The additional financing package comprises a 64.20 million euro loan from the African Development Bank and a 4.2 million euro contribution from the African Development Fund, alongside 15 million euros in counterpart funding from the Government of Kenya.

The dam, a flagship project under Kenya's Vision 2030 strategic plan, is located at the confluence of the Athi and Thwake rivers at the border of Makueni and Kitui counties in the lower eastern region. Construction is approximately 90 percent complete. The resources will finance engineering refinements and safety enhancements including raising the dam height, strengthening foundations, and constructing two supplementary saddle dams. Upon completion, the project will supply up to 150,000 cubic metres of clean water daily to 1.3 million people, support irrigation across 40,000 hectares, and generate 20 megawatts of renewable hydropower. The project is expected to be completed in September 2028. Alex Mubiru, Director General for East Africa at the African Development Bank Group, described the additional financing as completing a strategic national asset and ensuring it delivers fully on its promise.

Source: African Development Bank Group