President William Ruto’s ambitious plan to construct 1,000 dams across the country has stalled, with none completed nearly three years into his presidency.
Water Cabinet Secretary Erick Mugaa admitted before the Senate on Thursday that the plan, once touted as a key solution to Kenya’s water and food insecurity, is far from being realized.
Appearing before the Senate plenary, Mugaa said most of the dam projects were to be implemented under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, but efforts to attract investors have fallen flat.
“I would like to inform Senators that large dams were to be constructed under the Public Private Partnerships model; however, investments in the water sector have not been successful. Water tariffs are not cost-recovery, which has made the sector not attractive to investors,” he said.
Mugaa added that although several smaller dam projects are underway, none of the large-scale ones, including the proposed Faui and Umma dams, have been completed. He described the progress on those projects as slow and uncertain.
During his 2022 campaign, Ruto promised to deliver 100 mega dams, 1,000 smaller ones, and more than 3,800 water pans across the country to support irrigation and increase food production. He framed the dam programme as the backbone of his administration’s plan to reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture.
“As I take over office, one of the promises that I will ensure is delivered is to have 100 mega dams, close to 1,000 small dams, and nearly 3,800 water pans constructed across the country during my tenure in office as President,” he had declared.
The President also pledged to increase land under irrigation to three million acres and uplift millions of small-scale farmers nationwide. However, the failure to attract private investment, coupled with bureaucratic delays and financial constraints, has hampered the implementation of these promises.
Key dam projects earmarked for regions such as Baringo, including Radat, Amaya, Beregei, Kimwarer, and Arror, remain in limbo, many still stuck on paper or facing stalled progress.
In August 2023, former Water CS Alice Wahome also acknowledged similar financial challenges and noted that recurring droughts continue to worsen food and water insecurity in several counties.
