Rukenya Dam
| Thiba / Rukenya Dam | |
|---|---|
Interactive map of Thiba / Rukenya Dam | |
| Country | Kenya |
| Location | Rukenya, Kirinyaga County |
| Coordinates | 0°31′57″S 37°20′12″E / 0.53250°S 37.33667°E |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Length | 1 km (0.62 mi) |
The Rukenya Dam, also known as Thiba Dam, is a dam in Rukenya, Kirinyaga County, Kenya. As of January 2020, it is still under construction. The dam will be 40 meters (130 ft) high and 1 km wide, and its reservoir will occupy at least 542 acres of land, with a water storage capacity of 15 million cubic meters.[1]
The dam’s primary purpose is to increase the land under irrigation in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme. The construction was informed by a study that proposed the rehabilitation and expansion of the irrigation scheme.[2][3] The project will be funded by the Government of Kenya in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The cabinet proposed the construction of the dam as a Vision 2030 project.
Construction began in September 2016,[4] but was suspended in October 2019 due to a lack of funding. Works resumed in January 2020 thanks to a new $6 million release.[5] The construction of the dam was completed in March 2022, following significant progress in addressing funding delays and land disputes that had temporarily stalled the project.[6]
References
- ↑ Star, Mt Kenya. "Kirinyaga loses as Thiba dam stall". The Standard. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
- ↑ System, Wordpress (2022-11-08). "THIBA: THE MAKING OF KENYA'S FIRST IRRIGATION DAM". National Irrigation Authority. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "Civil Works of Thiba Dam, Kenya | international.strabag.com". international.strabag.com. Archived from the original on 2026-05-13. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ Kamau, Munene (February 5, 2013). "Schools face demolition in Sh12b dam project". Standard Digital. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
- ↑ "KENYA: Government re-launches work on Thiba Dam with $6 million". Afrik 21. 2020-01-30. Retrieved 2020-04-10.
- ↑ "Uhuru's flagship Thiba Dam is complete". The Star. Retrieved 2025-01-11.
0°31′57″S 37°20′12″E / 0.53250°S 37.33667°E