Located at Kibuka Falls on the border of Kitui and Tharaka Nithi Counties, the High Grand Falls Dam would become the centerpiece of Kenya’s hydroelectric infrastructure, dramatically increasing the national power capacity by approximately 700 MW. This mega-project, which is being fast-tracked for completion by 2032, will essentially double the current hydroelectric output of the Tana River’s Seven Forks cascade. Complementing this is the Masinga Dam Expansion, which involves raising the dam wall by 1.5 meters to increase its water storage by 173 million cubic meters. Because Masinga acts as the primary reservoir for the entire Seven Forks system, this expansion ensures a more consistent water flow to downstream stations like Kamburu and Kiambere, stabilizing power production during dry seasons.

Together, these projects will not only provide a massive injection of clean, renewable energy into the national grid but also enhance the reliability of the entire hydroelectric chain, reducing Kenya’s dependence on expensive thermal power and energy imports.

September 8, 2025

The High Grand Falls Project was a proposed Ksh337 billion mega dam located on the border of Kitui and Tharaka Nithi Counties. Intended to boost Kenya’s electricity generation capacity and support agricultural irrigation, it was designed as a large-scale multipurpose dam. However, the Kenyan government has terminated its agreement with the private company behind the project. Like other major dam initiatives in the country, including Thwake Dam, the High Grand Falls Project faced significant challenges, with financial constraints remaining a key setback to implementation.

Also read: Ksh425 Billion High Grand Falls Dam Construction Project Development Agreement Signed

High Grand Falls Project Factsheet

Project name: High Grand Falls Multipurpose Reservoir

Location: it is located across the Tana River, at Kibuka Falls. This is near the border of Kitui and Tharaka-Nithi Counties.

Capacity: 693 – 700 MW

Cost: Approximately US$2.6 billion (Ksh337 billion)

Dam type: Gravity dam

Procurement of the Project

The multi-billion-shilling dam was to be procured through a privately initiated proposal by a United Kingdom-based infrastructure investment firm. However, the National Treasury, in its Project Progress and Status Report that dates to July 5, 2025, has outlined that on July 2, of the present year, the government approved the termination of the project as per Section 43 of the PPP Act.

Also read: Construction of Africa’s second largest freshwater dam to be launched soon

Approval of the Project

The project proposal was initially approved in the month of May 2023. This allowed the project to proceed to a feasibility study. Subsequently, the feasibility study of the project was conducted. Eventually, the report of the feasibility study was submitted to the PPP Committee for approval.

Nonetheless, a review by the Committee of the project’s report concluded that the feasibility study did not meet most of the key requirements that are outlined in the PPP Act.

Also read: High Grand Falls Hydroelectric Power Station/High Grand Falls Dam in Kenya

As a result, the committee recommended its termination. Despite the termination, the Committee allowed the UK firm to make amendments to its feasibility study for resubmission.

Other Cancelled Projects

Other key projects that have been cancelled include the Ksh464 billion Nairobi–Mombasa expressway project. This project also known as the Usahihi Expressway was to be implemented in a partnership between the Kenya National Highways Authority and Everstrong Capital, a United States-based infrastructure firm.

In the review of the Usahihi Expressway, the PPP Committee directed the suspension of the project after the company failed to meet the criteria that was needed in its submission of the feasibility study report.

Also read: $3.6 Billion Usahihi Expressway, Africa’s Largest Toll Road Project Rejected

Approved Projects

Despite rejecting several privately initiated proposals, the Committee gave a green light for the construction of the 175-kilometre Nairobi–Nakuru highway.

In his recent announcement, Kenya’s President Ruto revealed that construction of the Nairobi-Nakuru highway would start in August this year and would be presided over by KeNHA.

Also read: Kenya’s 170-Kilometer Nakuru-Nairobi Highway Construction to Commence in July