Residents of Subukia sub-county in Nakuru County are set to benefit from clean water following the construction of a water tower and the laying of water pipes in the Kihoto area.
Chief Officer for Water and Sanitation Engineer Margaret Kinyanjui said having clean and accessible water for all households in Nakuru County is one of Governor Susan Kihika’s promises that she is keen to fulfill in the entire county.
Speaking at Kihoto, the engineer said one of the most important challenges to the county’s water scarcity is population growth and environmental degradation.
She emphasised the need for long-term solutions, such as conservation of wetlands and restoration of river banks to sustain the hydrological cycle, as well as proper education to increase environmental awareness and break old habits.
The engineer noted that water shortage had been one of the issues that had been raised by the proponents, who wanted the conferment of Nakuru city status delayed for a few years.
Also, she said water shortages were widespread, both in rural and urban areas. Giving the example of the Nakuru Water and Sanitation Service Company (NAWASSCO), she regretted that it has not been able to provide enough water to the city residents.
Additionally, she said the water company was only able to meet less than 60 per cent of the water requirements for the city residents. “Even on a good day, our water production is 40,000 cubic meters against a demand of about 70000 cubic meters daily, and during droughts, it comes down to 30,000 cubic meters,” she said.
She observed that to reduce the deficit in the city and all the other 10 sub-counties, they have invested heavily by drilling seven boreholes, but still, there is an urgent need for constructing dams and sharing water resources with other neighbouring counties, such as Nyandarua and Baringo.
By Veronica Bosibori
