News and Events

Stable Water Levels at Masinga Offer Relief to Power Consumers, Even as Shift to Geothermal Gains Urgency

Nairobi, Wednesday, May 28, 2025: Kenya’s largest hydroelectric reservoir, Masinga Dam, has defied mounting climate pressures to maintain stable water levels this week, offering relief to cushion Kenyans from unpredictable rainfall patterns.

The high levels of water are a welcome development at a time when climate change continues to affect Hydroelectric Power (HEP) production putting energy planners under growing pressure to diversify the country’s power sources.

Fresh data from the NSE-listed Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) shows Masinga holding at 1,056.97 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.), surpassing the maximum level of 1,056.50. This is a big boost to Kenya’s electricity grid, as Masinga dam anchors the Seven Forks cascade which is a system of five interlinked hydro stations that collectively powers a significant share of the nation’s economy.

At the same time, the broader hydro network remains under tight watch. KenGen said its Kamburu, Gitaru, Kindaruma, Kiambere, Turkwel, Sondu, and Sang’oro power stations continue to hold strong operating at maximum water levels.

Hydroelectricity is Kenya’s cheapest and most established source of power, but it is also the most vulnerable to shifting rainfall patterns. With droughts in recent years cutting deep into production, the country’s reliance on water-fed dams is being re-evaluated.

“This kind of stability at Masinga and the other hydro power stations is welcome, but it is no longer something we can take for granted,” said Eng. Peter Njenga, KenGen’s Managing Director and CEO. “We are operating in a new reality, and that’s why we are investing heavily in geothermal to shield Kenyans from the vagaries of rain-fed power production.”

Geothermal energy, tapped from deep beneath Kenya’s volcanically active Rift Valley, today accounts for more than 42% of the country’s daily power consumption. Unlike hydropower, it is impervious to weather, giving it a critical edge in times of drought. For planners, it has become the cornerstone of Kenya’s long-term energy resilience strategy.

According to latest data from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, geothermal accounts for more than 42% of Kenya’s daily energy consumption with KenGen contributing over 33% from its geothermal power plants in Olkaria.

In a proactive move to make Kenya energy secure, the government is currently fast-tracking geothermal expansion projects in Olkaria, Menengai, and other geothermal-active sites with an eye on both domestic stability and regional exports under the Eastern Africa Power Pool.

At the same time, KenGen says it has rolled out new real-time monitoring systems across its dams to ensure efficient water use and early warning for potential risks.

As Kenya walks a tightrope between climate vulnerability and energy demand, this week’s Masinga figures offer hope, but also a warning. The future of power in Africa’s most ambitious green economy will not rest on one dam alone, but on how fast Kenya can pivot to climate-smart solutions.

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About KenGen

Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC - KenGen is the leading electricity generation company in the Eastern Africa region, with an installed generation capacity market share of more than 60%. The company’s primary business is to provide safe, reliable, and competitively priced electric energy for the country in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner while creating value for its stakeholders.

Today, KenGen PLC has an installed generation capacity of 1,785MW, of which over 93% is drawn from green sources, namely Hydro (826MW), Geothermal (754MW), and Wind (25.5MW). The balance is from Thermal.

For media queries, please contact: Manager, Marketing and Corporate Communication at KenGen, Frank D. Ochieng, Tel:0721816896 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Masinga, Thursday, 15th May 2025: Kenya Electricity Generating Company PLC (KenGen), East Africa’s leading electricity generator, today hosted high level Government delegation led by Energy PS Alex Wachira on an inspection tour of KenGen Seven Forks’ dams. This follows the natural overflow of the Seven Forks Dams due to sustained heavy inflows from ongoing rainfall.

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. The alert urged communities living near the affected areas to remain vigilant, warning that they are at risk of increased river flows and potential flooding.

Speaking during the inspection tour of the dams, 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. Yesterday, 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.

Echoing the government's confidence in KenGen during the tour, Energy PS Alex Wachira reassured the country of continued supply of hydroelectricity to the national grid due KenGen’s expertise in dam management and water utilization.

“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. 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.” said Energy PS, adding “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.

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.

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Note to Editor:

About KenGen

For media queries, please contact: Frank D. Ochieng, Tel: 0721747890 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.