Eng. Peter Waweru Ngenga, CEO, MD at KenGen
Kenya’s largest hydroelectric reservoir, Masinga Dam, has maintained high water levels this week despite growing climate volatility—offering a timely reprieve for power consumers amid persistent concerns over the vulnerability of hydroelectric power (HEP) to erratic weather patterns.
According to new data from the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen), Masinga is currently holding water at 1,056.97 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.), surpassing its designated maximum level of 1,056.50 m.a.s.l. The development comes as a major boost for the national electricity grid, given that Masinga anchors the Seven Forks cascade—a system of five interconnected hydro stations that contribute significantly to Kenya’s energy supply.
“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.”
Other key hydro facilities—including Kamburu, Gitaru, Kindaruma, Kiambere, Turkwel, Sondu, and Sang’oro—are also reportedly operating at near maximum water levels, reflecting a short-term stability in the hydro segment of Kenya’s energy mix.
Hydroelectricity, while historically Kenya’s most affordable and established power source, remains the most climate-sensitive. Extended droughts in recent years have repeatedly slashed output, exposing the country’s overreliance on rainfall-fed dams. This vulnerability has accelerated a nationwide energy transition, with geothermal power emerging as the preferred alternative.
Currently, geothermal energy supplies over 42 percent of Kenya’s daily electricity consumption, with KenGen’s Olkaria plants contributing more than 33 percent. Unlike hydropower, geothermal energy—tapped from beneath the volcanically active Rift Valley—is unaffected by weather fluctuations, offering Kenya a stable and scalable energy solution.
To bolster this transition, the government is fast-tracking geothermal expansion projects in Olkaria, Menengai, and other geologically active zones. These efforts are part of a broader push to ensure domestic energy security and position Kenya as a net power exporter within the Eastern Africa Power Pool.
In a further move toward climate-resilient power management, KenGen has implemented new real-time monitoring systems across its dam network to optimize water usage and provide early warnings in case of potential hazards.
As Kenya navigates the dual pressures of climate vulnerability and rising energy demand, the strong showing at Masinga offers both encouragement and a cautionary tale. Experts warn that the country’s long-term power future will depend not on isolated wins, but on how swiftly it adopts sustainable, weather-independent energy solutions.
With geothermal at the center of this strategy, Kenya continues to solidify its status as a continental leader in green energy innovation—even as it prepares for an increasingly uncertain climate future.