Prime Minister Raila Odinga announced that the government will build a mega dam Tharaka Nithi county. The Sh50 million dam will be known as the Grand High Falls Dam and will be built in collaboration with the Chinese government. Raila made the announcement during a tour of Meru county.

The Premier said Meru is well-endowed agriculturally and the project will increase the economic viability of the region, opening it up to industrialisation. Raila said the dam will generate 500 megawatts of power. "The people from this region are at an advantage considering the great Northern Road is passing through here to Ethiopia. There is the Lamu Port highway which will also pass through Meru. All these will make Meru a centre of growing economy and help industries to crop up," he said.

Raila added that the new industries will accommodate and create jobs for the youth. He asked residents to shun politicians making tribal alliances to defeat him. "This is Kenya's moments and it has taken us close to fifty years to get where we are. However, we have not achieved what we wanted to fulfil as a nation. We failed in fighting illiteracy, poor health and poverty with some of the challenges getting stronger due to poor governance," Raila said.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by Medical Services minister Anyang' Nyong'o and Forestry assistant minister Joshpahat Nanok, Meru leaders Mpuru Aburi, Maoka Maore.