By Michelle Ndaga
The Mwache Multipurpose Dam Project in Kwale County is taking shape as a flagship initiative to improve water security, restore degraded landscapes, and create green jobs for local communities.
On Wednesday, Principal Secretary for Forestry Mr. Gitonga Mugambi joined PS Julius Korir (Water and Sanitation), PS Ephantus Kimotho (Irrigation), and Kwale Deputy Governor Josephat Chirema Kombo in hosting World Bank Country Director Mr. Qimiao Fan for a site visit to the project.
PHOTO/ COURTESY STATE DEPARTMENT FOR FORESTRY KENYA (X)
PS Mugambi highlighted the integration of fruit tree planting into the project as a way to boost community livelihoods while contributing to Kenya’s national target of achieving 30 percent tree cover by 2032. “Restoration in the Mwache catchment will reduce dam siltation, restore resilient landscapes, and generate sustainable green jobs for the people of Kwale,” he said.
The Mwache Dam project is closely linked to complementary programs such as watershed management under the Water Resources Authority, Farmer-Led Irrigation Development (FLID), and the Kenya Watersheds Services Improvement Project (KEWASIP). KEWASIP, supported by the World Bank, seeks to rehabilitate seven critical ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, and water towers, as part of the National Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration Strategy (2023–2032).
Once completed, the dam is expected to supply up to 186,000 cubic metres of water per day to Kwale and Mombasa counties, providing a major boost to domestic consumption, irrigation, and food security across the coastal region. Authorities say the project will also help Kenya meet its goal of restoring 10.6 million hectares of degraded land by 2032.
