- The project aims to deliver 700MW of clean hydropower and large-scale irrigation capacity.
- Government agencies formed a unified approach to relaunch the dam’s development phase.
Kenya is renewing its commitment to the High Grand Falls mega dam, a project first proposed in the 1950s. It aims to unlock hydropower and irrigation capacity on an unprecedented scale. The plan covers more than 165 square kilometres and holds up to 5.6 billion cubic meters of water. The government now seeks to restart work after the National Treasury suspended the scheme earlier this year.
Senior officials announced this renewed push during a high-level meeting on December 8. They stressed that the dam remains vital for energy expansion and climate resilience. Consequently, they outlined a coordinated approach to revive progress and remove earlier regulatory concerns.
Alex Wachira, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Energy, confirmed the shift in direction. He explained that Kenya intends to scale up hydropower by advancing the High Grand Falls site on the Tana River. He added that his team and the State Department for Irrigation created joint frameworks to support efficient delivery. This approach aims to ensure strong collaboration across government.
The dam is expected to generate 700MW of clean power and support large-scale irrigation. Therefore, it will strengthen economic growth and improve water security for surrounding communities. Key agencies, including KenGen, the National Irrigation Authority, and the PPP Directorate, also participated in the talks. Their involvement signals a unified commitment to this strategic investment.
The project has faced several setbacks. The Treasury halted it in July due to regulatory issues in the development report. Later reports noted uncertainty around the KSh337 billion scheme. The UK-based GBM Engineering Consortium had already invested heavily in feasibility studies and technical designs. Despite this, officials insisted that a new plan would guide the next steps.
Work now shifts toward engaging regulators and power utilities. Wachira stated that meetings with KPLC and KenGen will shape the implementation framework. This timeline reflects the government’s determination to advance a flagship hydropower asset.