Residents cry foul over dam activities, urge speedy completion
By Shaban Omar, May 6, 2025A section of residents in Fulugani village, Kinango sub-county, Kwale County, have raised alarm over acute water shortages, poor sanitation, and deteriorating road conditions attributed to the ongoing construction of the Mwache Dam.
The residents, who were previously dependent on River Mwache for domestic water use and farming, say the construction has cut off their access to the river due to pollution and restricted movement around the site.
Led by community spokesperson Jemima Chula, the locals say that they are not opposed to the dam project but want their immediate concerns addressed.
“We are aware the project is meant to solve water shortages and improve supply in the long term. But for now, we ask the same people to provide us with an alternative,” Chula said.
She called on the government to intervene by providing emergency water relief through bowsers and by drilling boreholes or constructing protected wells to serve the community in the interim. According to Chula the locals are now forced to walk long distances just to fetch clean water since the nearby water is polluted.
Meanwhile, others pointed out the poor state of infrastructure around the construction area, especially during the rainy season.
According to Chiroro Chaka, roads have also become impassable, cutting off access to essential services.
Ecological imbalance
“The river water completely fills up the small bridge we use often floods when it rains and people can’t cross,” she said, further urging the government to build a higher bridge.
According to her, they appreciate that one major road leading to the site and school was tarmacked but want the state of the small roads to be addressed too.
The Mwache Dam, a flagship project funded by the World Bank and the national government, is expected to provide a long-term solution to water scarcity in Kwale and neighbouring Mombasa Counties. The dam runs from Fulugani to Pemba villages.
According to Nyawa Ndoro, another resident, the loud blasts and ongoing human activity have forced wildlife to flee, altering the ecological balance.
“Before the project started, it was common to see colobus monkeys, baboons, and other wild animals in the nearby forest. Today, spotting any of them is rare. They are either migrating to safer habitats or becoming extinct,” he said.
Once complete, it will stand 87.5 meters tall, a massive concrete gravity dyke designed to impound an impressive 118 million cubic meters of water. The entire project has affected over 20, 000 residents and 3, 220 households from around 20 villages.
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