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Energy Principal Secretary (PS) Alex Wachira has reassured Kenyans of a continued and stable supply of hydroelectric power to the national grid, attributing the country’s resilience to KenGen’s expertise in dam management and water utilization.
Speaking during an inspection tour of KenGen Seven Forks’ dams the PS noted that the energy ministry has activated emergency response systems and are working closely with local authorities to monitor the situation and provide timely updates.
The tour comes two weeks after KenGen issued a safety alert to communities and stakeholders living along the Seven Forks Cascade and the Tana River of a potential overflow, caused by sustained high inflows.
“Today we are here to monitor the performance of our hydropower dams against the backdrop of the ongoing rains. There is no doubt that these rains will have a positive impact on our electricity mix,” PS Wachira said during a high-level inspection tour of KenGen’s Seven Forks dams on Thursday.
Adding that: “The Ministry is currently coordinating closely with KenGen and other stakeholders to ensure the integrity and safety of our dams, which are critical infrastructure within our energy ecosystem,” he added. “We are closely monitoring the impact of these heavy rains and are prepared to take all necessary actions to ensure the safety of our people. We have activated our emergency response systems and are working closely with local authorities to monitor the situation and provide timely updates.”
Speaking at the same forum the KenGen Managing Director and CEO, Eng. Peter Njenga, confirmed that water levels, especially in Masinga and Kiambere dams, have continued to rise sharply and have surpassed their maximum capacity.
“As of 14th May, Masinga Dam was 0.65 meters above its full supply level (1056.5 mASL), while Kiambere Dam was 0.27 meters above its full supply level (700 mASL). Based on this trend, we have witnessed a natural overflow of Masinga Dam from 30th April 2025 due increased inflows from Thiba River and the the Aberdares. On Tuesday, Kiambere Dam began to overflow naturally,” said Eng. Njenga.
KenGen issued an alert to communities living along the Tana River downstream of Kiambere Dam, enabling them to take precautionary measures, including relocating to higher ground. This comes alongside increased hydroelectric generation from the company’s power plants in the Seven Forks cascade, supporting both electricity supply
and water management.
This year’s situation is being described as historic, with rainfall intensities and catchment inflows exceeding seasonal norms.
KenGen has since activated its emergency communication protocols and is working in close collaboration with the National and County Governments’ disaster management teams, including the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, to ensure that affected communities receive timely information and support.
Beyond electricity generation, the Seven Forks dams play a critical role in flood control.
Together, the dams can hold over 2,321 million cubic meters of water, which accounts for more than 46% of the annual inflows from the Tana River. The ability to retain large volumes of water significantly reduces the impact of heavy rainfall on downstream areas. KenGen has been actively monitoring rainfall patterns, river flows, and dam levels.
The company is also intensifying community outreach, using media, local authorities, and on-ground teams to sensitize residents about safety actions to take, in the event of rising water levels.
“We remain committed to safeguarding the communities around us while maintaining the integrity of our infrastructure. Our role goes beyond power generation, it’s about being a responsible partner to the people and the environment,” Eng. Njenga affirmed.
KenGen will continue to monitor and issue regular updates for residents, local leaders, and stakeholders to remain alert, observe caution, and cooperate with official advisories.
