Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Murithi Mugaa has revealed that no mega dam has been completed under the current administration, despite a pledge to construct 1,000 dams across the country.

The admission came during a session with the Senate on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, where the CS faced tough questions over stalled water and irrigation projects.

Appearing before the Senate to answer questions on projects in Kitui and Embu counties, Mugaa cited financial constraints, bureaucratic delays, and the complexities of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as the key reasons behind the slow progress.

“In truth, no mega dam has been completed so far despite the government’s commitment to build 1,000. We are still in various stages of planning, procurement, and financing for many of these projects,” CS Mugaa told the Senate.

The session was marked by concern and frustration from lawmakers, particularly regarding critical irrigation schemes and long-delayed dam projects that were expected to boost food production, enhance water access, and drive local economic development.

Wikithuki Irrigation Scheme

Responding to a question from Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua, presented on his behalf by Senator Wafula Wakoli (Bungoma), Mugaa provided an update on the Wikithuki Irrigation Scheme in Tseikuru, Mwingi North Constituency. Developed between 2013 and 2017, the 1,000-acre scheme has struggled to reach its full potential due to high electricity costs and infrastructure issues.

“The scheme’s transformers had been faulty, but they have since been repaired. However, high power costs continue to limit its sustainability,” the CS noted.

To tackle this, the Ministry has embarked on a solarisation plan, working in partnership with the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC).

“A modernisation plan has been developed to solarise the scheme, which is expected to reduce operational costs significantly and improve efficiency,” Mugaa told Senators.

He said the solarisation would cost an estimated Ksh400 million, and a concept note had already been submitted to the National Treasury.

“We respectfully request the support of this House to secure funding for this initiative, which is crucial to ensuring food security, enhancing nutrition, boosting household incomes, creating employment for the youth and fostering agro-processing value chains,” he urged.

He also disclosed that the government was working to build the capacity of the Irrigation Water Users Association (IWUA), which had already applied for formal registration.

 “There is potential to expand the scheme up to 10,000 acres through a gravity-fed system,” he added.

 Embu’s mega dams delay

 Mugaa acknowledged the delays, attributing them to a mix of unresolved land issues, expensive financing models, and cumbersome PPP procurement protocols.

On Kamumu Dam, which is projected to serve 97,000 people with a storage capacity of 22 million cubic metres, Mugaa explained:

“The project faced a setback due to high financing costs proposed by the identified contractor.” The Ksh6.65 billion project is currently on hold pending the conclusion of land acquisition and resettlement plans.

He added that feasibility studies are being updated, and a Cabinet Memorandum is in the works to help unlock policy direction and funding.

Thuci Dam, expected to store 23 million cubic metres of water and generate 5 megawatts of electricity for 70,000 beneficiaries, is also caught in the PPP pipeline.

“This project remains a national priority,” Mugaa said, noting it has been officially included in the PPP project list.

Thambana Dam, designed to provide 15,000 cubic metres of water per day and support over 24,000 acres of irrigation, is facing a procurement stalemate.

The CS revealed that the initial proponent, Jos Hansen, had their proposal rejected for failing to pay the mandatory PPP deposit.

“A fresh procurement process is underway,” he told the Senate, but cautioned that construction timelines remain uncertain and will depend on progress in procurement, statutory approvals, and financing.

Senators demand accountability

The CS faced pointed criticism from Senators across the political divide, who accused the Ministry of failing to deliver on water promises.

“The Ministry must stop making promises and start delivering. Water is not a luxury, it is a necessity.”  

In response, Mugaa reaffirmed his commitment to fast-tracking stalled projects.

“We are working to accelerate implementation through strategic partnerships, robust stakeholder engagement, and improved planning mechanisms,” he said.

While acknowledging the urgency of the water crisis, Mugaa remained cautious in offering definitive deadlines.

“Progress will depend on how quickly we can mobilise funding and overcome policy and operational bottlenecks,” he said.