NAIROBI, Kenya- The Cabinet has approved an additional Sh16.6 billion to complete the flagship Mwache Multipurpose Dam Project in Kwale County, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to addressing chronic water shortages at the Coast while supporting irrigation, industrial growth and climate resilience.
The funding was approved during a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, as part of a broader package of infrastructure investments aimed at accelerating economic development and improving public services across the country.
According to the Cabinet communiqué, the additional financing will enable completion of one of Kenya’s largest water infrastructure projects, which is expected to transform water security in Mombasa and Kwale counties.
Once operational, the Mwache Multipurpose Dam will supply approximately 186,000 cubic metres of water daily, significantly easing persistent water shortages that have constrained households, businesses and industries along the Coast.
Cabinet said the project will also expand irrigation, strengthen climate resilience and provide a reliable water source for millions of residents, supporting long-term economic growth in one of Kenya’s fastest-growing regions.
The Coast region has for decades struggled with inadequate water infrastructure despite rapid population growth, urbanisation and increasing demand from tourism, manufacturing and port-related industries.
Water scarcity has frequently forced residents and businesses to rely on expensive private water vendors, while periodic droughts have exposed the vulnerability of existing supply systems.
The Mwache Dam has long been viewed as a strategic intervention to bridge this deficit by increasing bulk water storage and ensuring a more reliable supply throughout the year.
Beyond domestic consumption, the project is expected to support agricultural production through expanded irrigation, helping farmers increase productivity while reducing dependence on unpredictable rainfall.
The investment also aligns with Kenya’s broader climate adaptation agenda by improving the country’s capacity to manage changing weather patterns and prolonged dry spells that have become more frequent due to climate change.
Cabinet noted that the project forms part of wider efforts to strengthen strategic infrastructure that supports economic competitiveness, regional development and improved public service delivery.
During the same meeting, Cabinet also approved additional financing for sections of the Isiolo–Mandera highway corridor to improve connectivity in northern Kenya and endorsed petroleum cooperation agreements with Rwanda and South Sudan aimed at enhancing regional energy integration through Kenya’s transport and pipeline infrastructure.
Infrastructure experts have consistently identified investment in water storage facilities as critical to Kenya’s long-term development, particularly as population growth, urban expansion and climate variability continue to place pressure on existing water resources.
The Government says completion of the Mwache Multipurpose Dam will not only improve access to clean water but also unlock new opportunities for agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and other sectors that depend on reliable water supplies, making it one of the country’s most significant infrastructure investments in recent years.