NAIROBI, Kenya – As the rains keep pouring and dam levels continue to swell, Energy Principal Secretary (PS) Alex Wachira is assuring Kenyans that the lights are staying on.
In fact, he says, this is exactly what Kenya’s hydropower system was built for—thanks to KenGen’s skilled dam management and decades of experience harnessing water for energy.
Touring the Seven Forks cascade—a key cluster of dams on the Tana River—PS Wachira struck an optimistic but cautious tone.
“There is no doubt that these rains will have a positive impact on our electricity mix,” he said, standing before the roaring backdrop of overflowing reservoirs. “We are monitoring the situation closely and are prepared to take all necessary action.”
It’s been two weeks since KenGen issued a safety alert to communities living along the Tana River. Since then, water levels in Masinga and Kiambere dams have not only reached full capacity but exceeded it, prompting coordinated emergency responses across several government agencies.
Overflowing but Under Control
KenGen CEO Eng. Peter Njenga confirmed that both Masinga and Kiambere dams have started to overflow naturally—Masinga since April 30 and Kiambere from Tuesday, May 13. The cause? Intense and sustained inflows from the Thiba River and the Aberdares, fueled by what experts now call one of the most significant rainfall events in recent years.
“As of May 14, Masinga Dam was 0.65 meters above its full supply level, and Kiambere was 0.27 meters above,” said Eng. Njenga. “We’ve already seen a natural overflow, and we issued timely alerts to residents downstream to help them prepare.”
But here’s the good news: the overflow hasn’t triggered chaos, thanks to early warnings and well-oiled disaster management protocols. Emergency response systems have been activated, and KenGen is working closely with both county and national disaster teams to coordinate flood control and community safety efforts.
Keeping the Lights On and Communities Safe
The Seven Forks dams are doing more than just generating power—they’re quietly shielding thousands of Kenyans from potentially devastating floods. Together, the dams can store over 2.3 billion cubic meters of water, handling nearly half of the Tana River’s annual inflows. That capacity plays a crucial role in regulating water release and protecting communities living downstream.
“We’re not just here to generate electricity,” Eng. Njenga emphasized. “Our role includes safeguarding lives, maintaining infrastructure integrity, and being a responsible partner to both the people and the environment.”
To that end, KenGen has ramped up its community outreach. Teams on the ground are using local authorities, media channels, and direct communication to ensure residents know what safety actions to take if water levels rise further. Updates are being shared regularly, and residents are urged to stay alert and cooperate with official advisories.
Despite the rising dam levels, Kenya’s energy future looks stable—at least for now.
Hydropower remains a cornerstone of the country’s electricity supply, and the ongoing rains are giving it a welcome boost. While vigilance remains critical, the government is confident the current situation is under control.
