Wamuzi News Ke
In a startling confession that threatens to undermine President William Ruto’s flagship development promise, Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Eric Mugaa has admitted that zero of the government’s mega dam projects have been completed—despite the 2022 pledge to build 100 such structures nationwide.
Facing a pressing grilling in the Senate yesterday, CS Mugaa disclosed that not a single dam within the ambitious “mega-dam” programme has crossed the finish line, citing perennial financial shortfalls and stalling partnerships with private investors .
“Water infrastructure is not cheap; it is capital intensive,” he told lawmakers. Though preliminary works are underway on projects such as Bucha, Fauci and Um, none has reached completion. Without private sector funding, progress has been sluggish .
Critical Background.
The 100 mega dams initiative, central to Ruto’s strategy of transforming rain-fed agriculture into full-scale irrigated farming, was announced in 2022.This infrastructure push was meant to address recurrent droughts and bolster food security by enabling enhanced irrigation capacity .
Mugaa confirmed that no dam in the 100-list has been finalized, stretching the credibility of the promise thin .
Why It Matters.
1. Erosion of Credibility.
With no completed dams more than two years post-announcement, doubts now swirl over the government’s ability to execute high-impact infrastructure plans.
2. Funding Pitfalls.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) were intended to be the funding backbone. Mugaa acknowledged that the water sector’s low returns—barrel prices, tariffs, and financial viability—have repelled investors .
3. Impact on Food Security.
Without new dams, the agriculture sector remains exposed to weak rainfall. Farmers dependent on rain-fed systems are at the mercy of climate uncertainty, undermining Ruto’s “Bottom-Up” economic agenda.
Urgent Pressure Points Ahead.
Explosive Senate Inquiry: Senators demanded that Mugaa present a full list of operational small dams and future timelines. Any delay could spiral into a politically combustible issue.
Investor Confidence in Shambles: PPP platforms must demonstrate revised structures to lure financing. Murky returns and tariff debates must be addressed swiftly.Public Backlash Looms:
Rural communities face drought risks without promised irrigation infrastructure. Rising anxiety could exacerbate into political discontent.
