In Kenya, the foundation stone for the drinking water supply project was laid on June 18th, 2021. The Makamini dam will improve water supply to 40,000 people in Makamini, Kinagoni, Matumbi, Mtaa, Mabesheni, Bofu, Kibandaongo, Mnyenzeni and Mwamdudu. These villages are located in Kinango sub-county. The Coast Water Works Development Agency (CWWDA) is implementing the project in phases, with funding of 1.3 billion Kenyan shillings (about $12.1 million) from the Kenyan central government.
Start of construction of the Makamini dam©Kenyan Ministry Of Water &Sanitation and Irrigation
The dam is being built on the seasonal Vigurugani and Mulunguni rivers. The Makamini earthen dam will be 9 m high and 738 m long, with a crest height of 6 m. Its spillway will extend over the entire length of the dam. Its spillway will be 28 m long with a flood flow of 288 m3 per second.
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The water from the dam will be pumped to supply a drinking water plant. The plant will treat 3,000 m3 of water per day. The drinking water will pass through 710 m of 225 mm diameter pipes to connect to the reservoirs. The water will then be delivered to the population via a distribution network. According to the CWWDA, Kinango sub-county covers barely 4% of its current drinking water needs. In addition to providing drinking water to 40,000 people, the Makamini dam will reduce the incidence of water-borne diseases in this semi-arid area. CWWDA plans to deliver the Makamini Dam in 2024. The government agency is under the aegis of the Kenyan Ministry of Water and Sanitation.
Ines Magoum