Photo by Kenneth Marangu/KNA.
About 3000 residents of Kaanwa area in Chuka Igambang’ombe Constituency will easily access clean treated water courtesy of National Government through a programme implemented by Kenya Red Cross Society.
The Sh.10 million water treatment plant is part of one billion shillings that the government gave to the Red Cross for countrywide disaster management.
Speaking after commissioning of the project, Water Cabinet Secretary (CS), Simon Chelugui said the treated water will rid the residents of waterborne diseases such as Cholera.
In provision of clean water, the CS said, the government has in the current financial year set aside Sh.1.6 billion for clean water project and sewerage systems for Chuka and Chogoria towns.
Chelugui noted that tenders had already been awarded and work was set to start anytime soon, adding the project is slated for completion by December next year.
The CS said the government has also set aside Sh.26 million for digging boreholes in the county in a bid to ensure that 80 percent of Kenyans have access to clean and cheap water by 2022.
The Kenya Red Cross Secretary General, Dr. Abbas Gullet said if the solar panels are replaced with electricity pumps, more than 6000 residents can benefit.
Dr. Gullet noted that many counties especially those in the arid and semi-arid areas are already experiencing drought and asked both national and county governments to collaborate in supporting them.
“We are committed in ensuring that we have a healthy society free from diseases and hunger and we will keep partnering with the devolved units,” Dr. Gullet said.
The Tharaka-Nithi Governor, Muthomi Njuki said most of the county residents had no access to clean water but assured that his government is committed to ensuring that all locals had access to clean water.
Njuki pleaded with the locals to subscribe to the commercial treated water managed by Nithi Water and Sanitation Company (NIWASCO).
“I am appealing to all our people to make sure that they consume treated water so that they do not contract diseases. My government is committed to ensuring that all the residents have access to clean and cheap water,” Njuki said.
By Kenneth Marangu
