Embu County, Kenya – Heavy rains have swelled Kenya’s largest hydropower dams past their full capacity, triggering overflow across the Seven Forks cascade. But the government insists the lights will stay on and communities downstream are being warned, watched, and supported.
Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira said on Thursday that despite the surge in water levels, there is no cause for alarm at least not yet.
“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,” Mr Wachira told reporters during a high-level inspection of the KenGen-run Seven Forks dams.
“The dams are holding, the power supply is stable, and we’ve activated emergency systems.”
The inspection came just days after the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) raised the alert over a possible overflow at the dams which include Masinga, Kamburu, Gitaru, Kindaruma, and Kiambere all part of the sprawling Tana River basin.
Overflow has now started at both Masinga and Kiambere dams, according to KenGen’s managing director, Engineer Peter Njenga.
“As of 14 May, Masinga Dam was 0.65 metres above its full level, and Kiambere was 0.27 metres above,” said Eng. Njenga. “We began to see natural overflow at Masinga from 30 April, and Kiambere followed this week.”
The inflows are being driven by heavier-than-usual rainfall across the Thiba River and Aberdare ranges, which feed the Tana. Officials describe this season as “historic” in terms of both rainfall intensity and volume.
KenGen has issued safety alerts to communities downstream, urging those in low-lying areas to relocate to higher ground. Local disaster teams have been mobilised to support these efforts.
“This is not just about energy,” Eng. Njenga added. “It’s about protecting lives. We are constantly communicating through local leaders, the media, and community outreach to make sure people know what’s happening.”
The company says it is working closely with both national and county governments, as well as the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, to maintain dam safety and ensure timely public updates.
Despite the overflow, there has been no disruption in electricity supply. In fact, the increased water flow has boosted hydroelectric output at the Seven Forks stations, which together form the backbone of Kenya’s power grid.
These dams also play a crucial role in flood control. Together, they hold over 2.3 billion cubic metres of water nearly half of the Tana River’s annual flow. This capacity acts as a buffer during intense rains, reducing the flood risk downstream.
Still, not everyone is breathing easy.
In parts of Embu and Kitui counties, residents have expressed concern about rising water levels and what they say is a need for more boots on the ground.
“We hear about alerts, but some of us are not sure where to go or what to do,” said Miriam Njeri, a farmer living near the Tana. “We just want clear information and help if things get worse.”
Local officials say they are working to close those gaps.
“We’re on high alert,” said Embu County Commissioner Jack Nzioka. “Our teams are on the ground, moving from village to village with updates, especially in areas most at risk.”
So far, no injuries or deaths have been reported. But the situation remains fluid.
KenGen says it will continue monitoring rainfall, river flows, and dam levels, and promises regular updates to both the public and stakeholders.
“We remain committed to safeguarding the communities around us while maintaining the integrity of our infrastructure,” said Eng. Njenga.
The coming days and the rains will determine just how much strain the dams, and the people who depend on them, can endure.
