List of Dams in Kenya 2025: Major Reservoirs, Locations & Water Projects
- BeyondForest
- Dec 9, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 3
Image of Karimenu II Dam in Gatundu North, Kiambu County by Moses Ngige
Ndakaini dam in Muranga is the biggest supplier of Nairobi's water (approximately 84%)
Image of Kariminu Dam In Thika By Keith Angana
Kenya has numerous dams serving various purposes, including water supply, irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, flood control, and recreation. The country's geography, particularly the presence of major rivers and a semi-arid climate in some regions, has necessitated the construction of these dams.
Masinga Dam, the largest reservoir in the Tana River cascade with a full supply level of 1056.50mASL mASL stands for "meters above sea level." It means how high something (like the water level in a dam) is compared to the average level of the sea.
Dam | Location | Size | Source |
Masinga Dam | Embu and Machakos | 1.56 billion cubic meters. | Tana River |
Kindaruma Dam | Embu County | 16 million cubic meters. | Tana River |
Kiambere Dam | Embu County | 585 million cubic meters. | Tana River |
Gitaru Dam | Embu County | Tana River | |
Nyandarua County. | 16.9 million | ||
Ndakaini Dam (Thika Dam) | Murang’a County, | 70 million cubic meters. | Thika River |
Turkwel Dam | West Pokot County | 1.6 billion cubic meters | Turkwel River |
Kamburu Dam | Embu County | 150 million cubic meters. | Tana River. |
Sondu-Miriu Dam | Kisumu County | Sondu River | |
Mwea Dam | Kirinyaga County | ||
Chemususu Dam | Baringo County | ||
Kiserian Dam | Kajiado County | ||
Chebara Dam | Elgeyo-Marakwet County. | ||
Kariminu Dam | Thika | 26 Million Cubic meters | Thika River |
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411 on Dams In Kenya
Masinga Dam
Masinga Dam is designed and built to safely handle fluctuations in water levels, including moments when it slightly exceeds its Full Supply Level (FSL) of 1056.50 meters above sea level (mASL). The dam was engineered with safety margins and spillway mechanisms to handle excess inflows
Image of Masinga Dam By The Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (TARDA)
Masinga Dam, located on the Tana River in Kenya’s Eastern Province, is a key component of the Seven Forks Hydro Stations managed by the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen). Constructed between 1978 and 1981, the dam serves multiple purposes, primarily hydroelectric power generation, water regulation, and flood control. It stands at 60 meters high and spans a reservoir with a surface area of approximately 120 square kilometers, making it Kenya’s largest reservoir by volume.
Aerial View of Masinga Dam
Masinga Dam plays a crucial role in regulating the flow of the Tana River, ensuring steady water levels downstream for the operation of other dams like Kamburu, Gitaru, Kindaruma, and Kiambere. Its hydroelectric plant has an installed capacity of 40 megawatts, contributing significantly to Kenya’s energy supply. Beyond power generation, the dam supports irrigation schemes and provides water for domestic and industrial use in surrounding communities. It also plays an essential role in flood mitigation during Kenya's rainy seasons.
Ndakaini Dam
Image of Ndakaini Dam By Karori Tours
Ndakaini Dam, also known as Thika Dam, is a major water reservoir located in Murang’a County, about 80 kilometers northeast of Nairobi, Kenya. Constructed in the early 1990s and completed in 1994, the dam was developed to address the growing water needs of Nairobi.
Image of Ndakaini Dam By Peter Ndungu
Ndakaini Dam sits on the Thika River, a tributary of the Tana River, and has a storage capacity of approximately 70 million cubic meters, making it the primary water source for the capital. The dam covers an area of about 4 square kilometers and plays a critical role in supplying over 70% of Nairobi’s potable water. Managed by the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company, Ndakaini Dam is surrounded by a catchment area rich in forests, which helps maintain high water quality.
Locally known as Karemino dam was constructed at Kanyoni in Gatundu North around 2020 to supplement Ndakaini Dam to the ever thirsty Nairobi metropolis.
Image of Kariminu River Catwalk Way By Antony Kiai
Kariminu Dam is a strategic water supply project located in Gatundu North, Kiambu County, Kenya. Commissioned in 2022, the dam was constructed to address water shortages in Nairobi, Ruiru, Juja, and surrounding areas. Built on the Kariminu River, a tributary of the Thika River, the dam has a storage capacity of approximately 26 million cubic meters. It is part of the government’s Vision 2030 initiatives to enhance urban water infrastructure. The project includes a water treatment plant, intake tower, and extensive pipeline network.
Chemususu Dam
Chemususu Dam is located in Eldama Ravine, Baringo County, within the Maji Mazuri forest on the western edge of the Mau Forest complex. Constructed on the Chemususu River, a tributary of the Molo River, the dam has a storage capacity of approximately 11 million cubic meters.
Aerial View of Chemususu Dam
Chemususu Dam was built to supply clean and reliable water to over 600,000 residents in areas such as Eldama Ravine, Nakuru, Kabarnet, and surrounding towns.
Thwake Dam
Aerial View of Thwake Dam by State House Kenya
Thwake Dam is a multi-purpose infrastructure project located at the confluence of the Athi and Thwake Rivers in Makueni County, near the Kitui border. It is designed to provide clean water, irrigation, hydropower, and flood control for the Lower Eastern Region, including Konza Technopolis, Machakos, and Makueni. Once complete, it will store over 688 million cubic meters of water, making it one of Kenya’s largest dams. The project is funded by the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank.
Thwake 80.5m high mega dam sits on 9,217 acres of land at the intersection of rivers Thwake and Athi in Makueni County.
Turkwel Dam
Turkwel Dam is located on the Turkwel River in West Pokot County, Kenya, near the border with Turkana County. Completed in 1991, it was constructed with French support to generate hydroelectric power, support irrigation, and provide water supply in Kenya’s arid northwest. The dam stands at 153 meters high and forms Turkwel Gorge Reservoir, which holds over 1.6 billion cubic meters of water. It powers the Turkwel Hydroelectric Plant, contributing about 106 MW to Kenya’s national grid.
Despite its benefits, Turkwel Dam has faced criticism over high construction costs and environmental concerns, including reduced river flow affecting downstream communities and ecosystems around Lake Turkana.
Kindaruma Dam
Kindaruma Dam is one of Kenya’s oldest hydroelectric power stations, located on the Tana River between Embu and Kitui counties. Commissioned in 1968, it was the first dam built under the Seven Forks Hydropower Project.
Aerial View of Kindaruma Dam by Kenya Facts
Kindaruma dam stands at approximately 24 meters high and creates a reservoir that supports both power generation and water regulation for downstream dams. Initially equipped with two turbines, a third was added later, increasing its total capacity to about 72 MW.
Kiambere Dam
Kiambere Dam is a major hydroelectric facility located on the Tana River at the border of Embu and Kitui counties in Kenya. Completed in 1988, it is part of the Seven Forks Hydropower Scheme and serves as the lowest dam in the cascade. The dam stands about 110 meters high and creates a large reservoir with a capacity of approximately 585 million cubic meters.
Kiambere has an installed power generation capacity of 168 MW, making it one of the top power producers in Kenya.
Gitaru Dam
Gitaru Dam is a key hydroelectric dam on the Tana River, located in Embu County, Kenya. Completed in the early 1980s, it is part of the Seven Forks Hydropower Project and lies between Kamburu and Kindaruma dams.
Image of Gitaru Dam by NTV Kenya
Gitaru hosts Kenya’s largest hydroelectric power station by output, with an installed capacity of approximately 225 megawatts (MW). The dam plays a crucial role in regulating water released from upstream dams, ensuring steady and efficient power generation.
Sasumwa Dam
Sasumwa Dam is a key water reservoir located in the Aberdare Ranges within Nyandarua County, Kenya. Constructed in the 1950s, it is one of Nairobi’s primary water sources, supplying clean water to the city through the Sasumwa-Ndakaini pipeline system. The dam collects water from the Sasumwa River, a tributary of the Chania River, and has a storage capacity of about 15 million cubic meters. Managed by the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company
Image of Sasumwa Dam by DennyMwangi
Sasumwa Dam plays a crucial role in meeting the growing water demands of Nairobi’s population. However, it faces challenges such as siltation, catchment degradation, and occasional pipeline disruptions.
Kenya has several major hydroelectric dams that generate electricity, primarily located along the Tana River and Turkwel River. The main dams include Masinga Dam, Kamburu Dam, Gitaru Dam, Kindaruma Dam, Kiambere Dam, Turkwel Dam, Sondu-Miriu Hydropower Plant and the Gogo Hydropower Plant located on the Gucha River in Migori County.
The Seven Forks Dams in Kenya are a series of major hydroelectric dams located along the Tana River, which flows from the Aberdare Ranges and Mount Kenya to the Indian Ocean. These dams are situated in Embu, Machakos, Kitui, and Makueni counties.
Masinga Dam | Embu / Machakos border | Largest of the 7; regulates flow |
Kamburu Dam | Embu / Kitui border | Located downstream of Masinga |
Gitaru Dam | Embu County | Generates the highest output |
Kindaruma Dam | Kitui County | First dam constructed in the cascade |
Kiambere Dam | Embu / Kitui border | Among the most productive |
(Planned) Mutonga Dam | Tharaka-Nithi/Kitui (proposed) | Not yet built |
(Planned) Low Grand Falls Dam | Tana River / Kitui (proposed) | Future mega-dam project |
Image of Turkwel Dam by Destinations Kenya
The seven dams in Kenya, known as the Seven Forks Dams, are located along the Tana River and include Masinga Dam, Kamburu Dam, Gitaru Dam ,Kindaruma Dam, Kiambere Dam, Mutonga Dam and Grand Falls Dam
The Masinga Dam is the biggest dam in Kenya in terms of reservoir capacity. Located on the Tana River between Embu and Machakos counties, it was completed in 1981 as part of the Seven Forks hydropower project. Masinga Dam has a storage capacity of 1.56 billion cubic meters and a surface area of over 120 square kilometers. It plays a crucial role in regulating water flow to downstream dams, generating hydroelectric power, and supporting irrigation and flood control. Although not the highest in power output, its large reservoir makes it vital for water security and energy stability in Kenya.
Aerial View of Chemususu Dam
Kenya has over 90 dams and water reservoirs, serving various purposes such as hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, domestic water supply, and flood control. The most notable dams include the Seven Forks dams on the Tana River, Turkwel Dam on the Turkwel River, Ndakaini Dam (water supply for Nairobi), and Thwake Dam (under construction). These dams are managed by agencies like KenGen, TARDA, and county governments.
While only a few are used for power generation, many smaller dams support agriculture and rural water access, especially in arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya
Which dams have collapsed in Kenya?
One of the most tragic dam failures in Kenya’s history is the Solai Dam collapse in May 2018. Located in Subukia, Nakuru County, the privately-owned dam burst after heavy rains, releasing a powerful wave of water that swept through homes and farms. The disaster killed at least 48 people and displaced hundreds. Investigations revealed the dam was illegally constructed without proper oversight or approvals.
Mai Mahiu Flash Flood which occurred on April 29, 2024 A dam more precisely, a makeshift embankment burst near Mai Mahiu in the Rift Valley, triggered by torrential rains from an intense El Niño and Indian Ocean Dipole event. The tragic incident claimed at least 50 lives, left 84 missing, and displaced thousands, with heavy flooding sweeping away homes and infrastructure.
The Masinga Dam is considered the longest dam in Kenya in terms of reservoir length.Masinga Dam stretches over 50 kilometers upstream, making it the largest in both surface area and storage capacity.
Gitaru Dam is located on the Tana River in Embu County, Kenya. It lies between Kamburu Dam (upstream) and Kindaruma Dam (downstream) as part of the Seven Forks hydroelectric power scheme. Completed in the 1980s, Gitaru Dam houses Kenya’s largest hydroelectric power station by output, with a capacity of around 225 MW.
The Masinga Dam serves multiple vital purposes in Kenya. Its primary role is to regulate water flow along the Tana River, supporting downstream dams like Kamburu, Gitaru, and Kiambere in the Seven Forks hydropower scheme. It also generates hydroelectric power with an installed capacity of about 40 MW
Masinga Dam provides water for irrigation, domestic use, and helps with flood control during heavy rains. Its large reservoir also supports fishing, recreation, and local livelihoods.
Several major dams are located on the Tana River in Kenya, forming part of the Seven Forks hydropower project. These include Masinga Dam, Kamburu Dam, Gitaru Dam ,Kindaruma Dam and Kiambere Dam
Image of Turkwel Dam
Siltation | Reduced storage capacity due to sediment accumulation. |
Climate Change | Variability in rainfall affects water availability. |
Inadequate Maintenance | Poor upkeep leads to reduced efficiency and safety risks. |
Eviction of Communities | Construction sometimes displaces local populations, leading to conflicts. |
Environmental Impact | Loss of biodiversity and disruption of natural ecosystems. |