Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Muuga on Wednesday surprised senators when he attributed the stalled construction of the Sh42.3 billion Thwake Dam to the Russia-Ukraine war and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Muuga, who appeared before the Senate plenary to answer questions, had a tough time convincing lawmakers how the war in Ukraine was connected to the delay in completing the dam, which is on the border of Makueni and Kitui counties.
Makueni Senator Daniel Maanzo, who had sought an update on the dam's construction, said he could not understand how the project, which stalled a year ago, was linked to the Ukraine war. "I would like to inform the Senate that the Ukraine war and Covid-19 pandemic resulted in lack of explosives in the country and a scaled-down labour force respectively. ''The increase in dam height and the weak foundation at the riverbed section necessitated additional works," said Muuga.
Maanzo contradicted Muuga, pointing out that the project did not stall during the Covid-19 pandemic.
