Mwache Dam Project: From Water Infrastructure to Healthcare and Livelihoods

 By Victor Patience Oyuko 

The Mwache Multipurpose Dam project continues to assert its pivotal role in shaping the developmental landscape of Kwale County. 

On Friday, the project witnessed a milestone as the foundation stone for the new Mwache Health Centre was laid—an initiative designed to significantly enhance healthcare services for the region. The event attracted high-level representation from both the national and county governments, underscoring the strategic importance of the project.

Health Infrastructure Rooted in a Water Project

Serving as the Chief Guest at the groundbreaking ceremony, hosted by Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho , was Her Excellency Fatuma Achani, the Governor of Kwale County. The foundation of the health centre is one of the many tangible social benefits emerging directly from the Mwache Dam initiative. This integration of healthcare into a water-focused infrastructure development exemplifies the government’s commitment to cross-sectoral investment for maximum public impact.

Also in attendance were Hon. Gonzi Rai, Member of Parliament for Kinango Constituency, and Hon. Joseph Dena, a Nominated Member of Parliament, alongside MCA Hamisi Kombo and County Secretary Sylvia Chidodo. Their presence emphasized the shared commitment between national and county governments to ensure the success of complementary development initiatives.

A Lifeline for Livelihoods

Beyond healthcare, the Mwache Dam project is spearheading efforts to boost livelihoods through the distribution of 5,000 fruit trees. This intervention is being undertaken in collaboration with KCB Kenya, aligning economic development with environmental sustainability. The fruit tree program will not only enhance household food security but also create income opportunities for local communities through agro-forestry.

The State Department of Irrigation, under the stewardship of Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho, has been instrumental in steering these multi-layered benefits. PS Kimotho’s leadership continues to ensure that irrigation projects like Mwache serve not only their core function but also address broader community needs in health, environment, and economic empowerment.

An Extension of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda

The Mwache project is a practical expression of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. Through infrastructure that empowers marginalized communities, the project aims to reduce inequalities and build resilience from the grassroots. The integration of healthcare services and sustainable livelihood support reflects a forward-thinking model of development that prioritizes long-term impact.

PS Ephantus Kimotho has consistently aligned irrigation projects under his docket with this transformative agenda. His role in facilitating inter-agency partnerships, ensuring smooth coordination with county governments, and overseeing the rollout of tangible community benefits has been pivotal. His presence at Friday’s event further signified his personal commitment to the success of the Mwache Dam project and its associated developments.

National and County Collaboration in Action

What transpired in Kwale on Friday is a showcase of how national and county governments can co-create solutions for shared challenges. From addressing water scarcity to boosting healthcare and restoring degraded livelihoods, the Mwache project stands as a beacon of integrated rural development.

The presence of senior officials from both levels of government is not merely ceremonial—it highlights a unified approach to service delivery and infrastructure rollout. Under the careful coordination of PS Ephantus Kimotho, this alignment of interests continues to deliver results that impact everyday lives.

Looking Ahead

As the Mwache Health Centre takes shape and fruit trees begin to root in Kwale’s soil, the vision of the Mwache Multipurpose Dam project becomes clearer. It is not just about building a dam—it is about building lives. It is a testament to what is possible when infrastructure is not pursued for its own sake, but for the wellbeing it catalyzes in the communities it touches.

The leadership of PS Ephantus Kimotho remains a cornerstone in realizing this vision. By leveraging partnerships, responding to community needs, and remaining firmly grounded in the government’s broader economic agenda, he continues to exemplify how public service can deliver real value.

In a time when climate resilience, food security, and access to healthcare are urgent national priorities, the Mwache Dam project stands tall as a model worth replicating across the country.

Article by Victor Patience Oyuko. To buy coffee: 0708883777

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Carolyne Kamende: A Story of Resilience, Leadership and Excellence

Image
  "Excellence is not an act, but a habit" - Aristotle Carolyne Kamende Daudi is a name that inspires admiration and respect among many Kenyans. Her story is one of resilience, leadership, and excellence. From humble beginnings in a village in Kilungu, Machakos County, Carolyne Kamende rose to become an advocate of the high court of Kenya and a champion of public interest litigation. Growing up, Carolyne Kamende saw the suffering of people who faced injustice because they could not afford legal representation. This made her believe that there is power in knowing the law, and if you cannot afford legal service, it often leads to injustice. This made her a fighter and put the fire and passion to change things, and to date, a lot of the legal work she does is pro bono. Carolyne Kamende has had an illustrious 19-year career as an advocate of the high court of Kenya. As an advocate, she has championed major litigation cases in public interest. She has specialized in Family, Arbitra...
Read more

Irrigation PS Affirms Bold Plans to Expand Kenya’s Irrigation Frontier

Image
By Victor Patience Oyuko  13th May, 2025 ON Tuesday, Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho appeared before the National Assembly’s Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation, chaired by Hon. Kangongo Bowen, carrying more than just figures and forecasts — he carried resolve. Facing a sharp 33% reduction in development budget allocations for the Financial Year 2025/26, Kimotho cut a calm and collected figure. Where others might have lamented or deflected, he laid out a forward-looking vision that, even amid fiscal constraints, remains firmly tethered to President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). Leading with Strategy, Not Sentiment The State Department for Irrigation has seen its GoK-funded budget drop from the previous year by Ksh 2.821 billion. Yet, Kimotho was unequivocal: “We are committed to the implementation of various ongoing irrigation projects,” he said, his voice steady, his posture confident. This wasn’t the lament of a frustrated technocrat....
Read more

Irrigation PS Champions Better Project Management in Public Sector

Image
In a nation striving to build world-class infrastructure and deliver essential services to its people, few obstacles are as frustrating—or as costly—as project delays. They drain public resources, stall progress, and erode trust. Yet, for too long, they have remained a persistent feature of Kenya’s development landscape. On Friday, however, a powerful voice in government spoke directly to this national challenge and signalled a renewed determination to overcome it. Principal Secretary for the State Department for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho, was the chief guest at the launch of Eliminating Project Delays and Cost Overruns, a newly published book by the esteemed project management specialist Mr. Nahashon Okowa. The book tackles a problem that continues to undermine effective service delivery across both public and private sectors: delays in project execution and the ballooning of budgets beyond initial estimates. During the launch, the PS acknowledged the scale and frequency of these i...
Read more