The completion date of the Ksh.82 billion Thwake Dam project has been postponed for the fourth time by the national government.
China Ghezhouba Group Company, the main contractor, informed Water Cabinet Secretary Zachariah Njeru that the previously set deadline of February 4, 2024, would not be met.
The new agreement between the State and the contractor aims to complete the dam sometime in October 2024, although sources from a meeting led by CS Njeru at the site suggest that the contractor had initially sought an extension until December.
The project, funded primarily by the African Development Bank, has already utilized over Ksh.22 billion, constituting nearly 90% of the required funds for the first phase.
Despite this financial injection, much work remains to be done at the dam site.
“We have agreed with the contractor that we may extend the time for them to complete. They have raised many issues that they could not resolve, for example, the project came at a time when there was Covid-19, and we also know that the prices of many things have gone up… nevertheless, we have agreed and reached an understanding before the tenth month, so they will have completed this project,” stated Njeru.
Controversy surrounds China Ghezhouba Group, as the company has faced disruptions, with operations being shut down multiple times due to cash flow problems.
Instances of workers downing tools due to lack of payment and theft of equipment at the site have also impacted the project.
Concerns have also been raised regarding how the allocated Ksh.22 billion was spent.
The main contractor has additionally been entangled in legal battles with a sub-contractor over payment disputes. The conflict emerged in 2021 when JTG Enterprises sought payment for completing spillway works.
On August 9, 2023, China Ghezhouba Group Company appealed a court ruling that ordered them to pay the sub-contractor nearly Ksh 700 million.
Despite these challenges, CS Njeru has urged the contractor to complete the project, emphasizing the need to proceed with the work regardless of the ongoing court disputes.
