1, 500 people benefit from water project in Masue, Mbitini ward

More than 1, 500 residents in Masue village in Nzaui Sub-County have benefitted from a water project funded by the United Kingdom (UK) at a cost of Sh 5 million.
Masue Rock Catchment started in 2015, and is the main source of water for domestic and livestock use, besides small scale irrigation farming.
The chairman of the Masue Rock Catchment Project, Mr. Daniel Kimaile said this on Tuesday during an inspection tour of Members of Parliament from the House of Commons in UK.
While saying the project had alleviated the water shortage in the area, Kimaile said three schools had also benefitted from the project.
He however noted that storage tanks were few and asked for more funding in order to help in harvesting the rainy water that goes to waste in the area.
“The project has alleviated the acute water shortage in the area. There is enough water for domestic and watering animals. We have even started a boarding school because of availability of water for use,” said Kimaile.
Speaking at the same event, the MPs, Nigel Evans (Ribble Valley), Mark Menzies (Fylde), Paul Scurry (Sutton, Cheam and Worcester Park) and Lloyd Russell (Moyle) said they were satisfied with how the funds were used.
The head of the delegation, Mr. Evans lauded the collaboration between the national and county governments and community in efforts to combat climate change.
“We are impressed on how our tax payers’ money was being spent. We would also like to know areas that Kenyans need our support so that we can chip in and make them self-reliant,” said the legislator who is also a Member of the International Development Committee.
The MP who also doubles as the Vice Chair of the International Trade Select Committee, praised the Kenya government ban on logging and charcoal burning that impacts negatively on the environment.
The project was funded by the UK government through the Department for International development (DFID) through ADA Consortium and its members – Christian aid and Anglican Development Services – Eastern (adS-E) – who provided technical support in the implementation of the County Climate Change Fund.
The project is among other projects funded through a Sh42 million grant by UK Aid after Makueni became the first county in Africa to pass and enact a legislation on Climate Change Fund (CCF).
Speaking earlier when the MPs paid him a courtesy call, Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana thanked the residents for owning the project, saying they have helped in implementing the project that has become a success.
At the same time, Kibwana said they were working closely with Faith Based organisations, saying they were better placed in mobilising wananchi on development issues.
“The project is an example of how government money can be utilised. As government there is need to be transparent and accountable in spending monies on projects,” said the governor.
Earlier the Makueni County Commissioner Mr. Maalim Mohammed told the MPs who had paid him a courtesy call that all monies given as grants will be utilised on projects intended, saying the government was keen on fighting corruption.
Mohammed said through the Masue Rock Catchment project, people are able to access clean water and were now using it for irrigation, hence increasing food security in the county.
“The project has enabled people at Masue to access water and engage in irrigation activities to produce food for subsistence. This has made them to be self-reliant and were no longer depending on relief food,” said Mohammed.
By Patrick Nyakundi