Kenya’s ambitious plan to construct one of Africa’s largest man-made lakes, the High Grand Falls Dam in Kitui County, is progressing as a British construction firm submits its technical and financial proposals. The project, conceptualized in 2009 under President Mwai Kibaki’s administration, is gaining momentum as evaluations of the proposals are underway.
The High Grand Falls Dam, a flagship project under a Public Private Partnership, aims to provide multiple benefits, including irrigation, flood control, hydropower generation, eco-tourism, and aquaculture. Situated at the confluence of River Mutonga and River Tana, the dam’s reservoir will cover an extensive area in Kitui and Tharaka Nithi Counties, potentially affecting thousands of households.
GBM Engineering Consortium, the British contractor, has proposed to design, fund, build, own, and operate the dam for 30 years, recovering costs without government funding. The firm’s updated proposal suggests a reduced project cost of Sh288 billion, down from the initial estimate of Sh425 billion. Once completed, the dam is expected to irrigate 400,000 acres of land, generate up to 1,000 Megawatts of hydropower, and provide clean water supply.
The project faced challenges during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure, but a strategic partnership deal between President William Ruto and the UK’s Rishi Sunak revitalized efforts to move the project forward. The agreement unlocked investment disputes and paved the way for GBM Engineering to undertake the project, supported by British investment and expertise.
With evaluations ongoing and financial negotiations pending, Kenya’s dream of the High Grand Falls Dam moves closer to reality, offering significant economic, environmental, and social benefits for the region and the country as a whole.
