Water is central to food security, public health and economic growth under the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. In Kwale County, the Mwache Multipurpose Dam is emerging as a major investment intended to transform water access across the Coast region.

President William Ruto broke ground for the project in April 2023 at Fulugani, where the 84-metre-high dam is being constructed across the Mwache River. Recent government updates indicate that overall construction has reached about 80 per cent, with the main dam at 86 per cent. Supporting facilities, including the administration building and base camp, are 99 per cent complete.

Once operational, the dam will store approximately 127 million cubic metres of water and supply about 186,000 cubic metresor 186 million litres daily to Mombasa and Kwale. The water will support households, industries, livestock and future irrigation programmes while reducing vulnerability to drought and unreliable rainfall.

Implemented through the Coast Region Water Security and Climate Resilience Project, Mwache Dam is expected to improve livelihoods, attract investment and strengthen climate resilience. Government administrators are also coordinating security, community engagement, resettlement and protection of critical infrastructure to ensure the project delivers lasting benefits.