The construction of the Sh21 billion Thika 3A dam is set to boost the region’s water reserves by addressing the challenges of water scarcity and inadequate sanitation in Thika and Githunguri townships in Kiambu county.

The Thika and Githunguri Water and Sanitation project is being implemented by the Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA) with support from the National Government and the DANIDA Sustainable Infrastructure Finance (DSIF).

Speaking at a Thika hotel on Wednesday during a stakeholder’s consultative forum to discuss the project, AWWDA Acting CEO Eng Joseph Kamau observed that the dam, to be constructed at the Gatanga and Kandara boundaries in Murang’a County, was ready for implementation and would be ready for commissioning and operation by July 2027.

Social impact

“Environmental and social impact assessment of the project began in 2018 and now we expect the contractor to commence the works by February 2025 as we are at the financing closure stage,” he said, adding that the implementation period for the project would be 30 months until July 2027.

“This project will add 70,000 cubic metres of water per day to Thika thus meeting the water demand requirement for Thika urban area up to the year 2027 and we anticipate that by the ultimate end, we shall meet the projected population of about 1.2 million people,” stated Eng Kamau.

Currently, the project population area stands at 406,158 and is expected to increase to 1.2 by 2047 whereas the current water demand is 55,895m3 per day and is projected to increase to 203.57m3 per day by 2047.