Construction of the northern water collector tunnel which targets to increase water supply to Nairobi City County is at 91 percent complete.
The tunnel once completed is expected to increase water capacity at Ndakaini dam, main reservoir of water supplied to Nairobi and its environs.
On Tuesday, four cabinet secretaries led by Amina Mohammed (sports) visited the project at Makomboki area and ascertained that the tunnel will be launched before June to ease perennial water shortage to residents of Nairobi.
Amina said the project which is implemented at a tune of Sh. 8.2 billion, will come with other water projects which will be done to local communities with a target of increasing water connections in homesteads within the county.
Some of the projects associated with the tunnel include Murang’a, Ithanga, Gatanga, Gatango and Ichichi, Makomboki community water projects.
The CS assured that the government is committed to implement last mile connection to households in Murang’a as a way of Corporate Social Responsibility.
The project, she added, is scheduled for completion in April, this year as piping is going on from Kirogo water treatment to the Gigiri area in Nairobi where the main tank is constructed.
The tunnel which draws water from three rivers namely, Maragua, Gikigie and Irate is being done by the Athi Water Service Board and is aimed to reduce water rationing in Nairobi County city.
Amina accompanied by Joe Mucheru (ICT), Simon Chelugui (Labour) and Sicily Kariuki (Water) were on an inspection tour of the development projects being implemented by the national government.
The members of the cabinet asked locals to continue supporting the government and its policies so as to ensure developments are implemented without delay.
The team also visited Kenol-Sagana road which is being upgraded to a dual carriage way status. The road which is part of the Great North Road that links Kenya and Ethiopia is expected to ease traffic jams along the busy Nairobi-Nyeri road.
The project being implemented at a cost of Sh. 6 billion is slated to be completed in October 2024.
“Apart from roads, water among other infrastructure projects, the government is working out to improve internet connectivity at grassroots,” ICT CS Mucheru asserted.
He stated that the fibre network will support implementation of the Competency-based curriculum at schools.
“We are working together with the ministry of education to ensure implementation of CBC is effective by providing reliable network connections,” added Mucheru.
Labour CS Chelugui said his ministry will soon embark on enrolling more beneficiaries of the Inua Jamii programme.
Chelugui observed that in Murang’a more than 27,000 people are enrolled in the programme requesting those already registered to be patient as the government is working to release their monthly stipends.
In the recent past, members of the cabinet have been touring various counties to inspect government projects as a way to show commitment of the government in ensuring all projects are completed within specified time.
by Bernard Munyao
