The national government, through the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), has constructed four dams at a total cost of Sh120 million in Kibwezi West Constituency aimed at improving water access and food security in the area.
Among the dams that were completed were Kwa Matilu in Nguu Masumba and Mbui Nzau, Syumile and Sekeleni in Nguumo wards, respectively, whereby each dam has a capacity of 50 million litres of water.
Speaking while commissioning the Kwa Matilu dam on Tuesday, NIA Chairperson Engineer Gilbert Maluki said the dam is a lifeline for the people while noting it was a collective responsibility to safeguard the projects.
“These dams are a lifeline for our people and it is our collective responsibility to safeguard them for future generations. Each dam cost Sh 30 million,” said Eng. Maluki on Tuesday.
Maluki said that the initiative by the government will end the perennial water shortage, support household irrigation, and hence improve and transform livelihoods in the respective areas.
Further, the Chairperson disclosed that his organisation has also initiated eight other dams in the constituency, saying that the tendering process is ongoing to identify the right contractors to construct the projects.
Addressing the members of the public who graced the occasion, Kibwezi West Member of Parliament (MP) Mwengi Mutuse urged the residents to protect government-initiated community projects from vandalism.
He reminded them of the importance of such infrastructure, saying it will address community challenges, noting that it will foster economic transformation besides alleviating poverty afflicting many in the area.
“We have witnessed vandalism of government projects, especially by those who are running scrap metal businesses. If you let people vandalise the projects, be rest assured that you are the ones who are losing as a community. Therefore, let everyone protect this project and all that has been invested here,” said Mutuse.
By Albanus Kioko
