Govt to fast-track 3 mega-dams under Lake Victoria bulk water reforms

The Kenyan government has pledged to expedite the construction of three major dams as part of broader reforms aimed at enhancing water supply, reinforcing climate resilience, and tackling persistent water shortages in the Lake Victoria Basin. During a meeting with water sector stakeholders at Ciala Resort in Kisumu on October 30, 2026, Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa announced that the Magwagwa, Bunyunyu, and Koru-Soin dams would be prioritized.

Mugaa emphasized that climate change has rendered traditional rain-fed reliance on water obsolete, necessitating a faster approach to dam projects. He stressed that these dams are "not just engineering structures—they are existential necessities to help mitigate the devastating effects of climate change." The government's commitment to these projects persists despite bureaucratic delays and legal challenges.

The reforms also encompass a significant restructuring of water supply arrangements in the Lake Victoria Basin, where bulk water production will be separated from local distribution. The Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency (LVSWWDA) will directly purchase bulk water from primary service providers before distributing it to county-level water distributors. This new model aims to streamline billing and revenue collection, diminish financial leakages, and mitigate disputes between counties over water supply.

The proposed framework will be executed through County Purchase Agreements (CPAs), which will outline the commercial and legal terms governing bulk water purchases between the agencies and county-level distributors. Mugaa believes that these agreements will provide counties with a structured mechanism to manage local water projects while clarifying the roles of national and devolved institutions.

The three dams under consideration are expected to augment water storage capacity, thereby aiding communities in coping with erratic rainfall patterns. Koru-Soin Dam, in particular, is anticipated to alleviate recurrent flooding in the Nyando basin by storing excess water during heavy rains for use during prolonged dry spells. Magwagwa and Bunyunyu dams are projected to furnish additional storage capacity by capturing surplus water during rainy seasons for use during extended dry periods.

Beyond enhancing water availability, these projects are poised to bolster irrigation, hydropower generation, and aquaculture. Enhanced irrigation infrastructure could alleviate farmers' reliance on rain-fed agriculture, while the reservoirs could stimulate commercial fish farming and related employment opportunities. The government views the projects as integral to its strategy for bolstering food security and fostering economic activities in communities surrounding the proposed reservoirs.

LVSWWDA Chief Executive Officer Jackline Kemunto expressed readiness to implement the new bulk water purchasing framework, highlighting the agency's intent to address long-standing administrative fragmentation and financial leakages. Kemunto stated that the reforms aim to ensure prudent management of water resources and optimize revenue generated from water services. LVSWWDA is anticipated to play a central role in executing the new purchasing arrangements and coordinating bulk water supplies to county distributors.