More than 1,000 needy households in Baringo Central constituency benefited from water tanks dished out by area MP Joshua Kandie through proceeds from the annual Kirdam Road Race.
Speaking Saturday after handing over exercise at Kapsogo, Kiptilit, Kituro and Orokwo locations, Kandie stated that the targeted households are the most disadvantaged in terms of access to clean and safe water as they were supposed to be covered by phase two of the multi-billion Kirandich dam project, which stalled due to lack of funds.
The MP said he decided to distribute the 100 litre water tanks to the identified households in all the 46 sub locations as the local constituency office and national government look for a solution to the stalled giant water project launched in 2016.
“The contractor undertaking the project has been paid some money by the ministry of water and I am optimistic that our residents especially women, who have been waiting to use the water since then, can now afford to smile because it will have relieved from them the burden of traveling several kilometres in search of clean water,” he said.
Kandie noted that the distribution of tanks in the subsequent years will shift to establishment of big water tanks in learning institutions and market centres so that it would tap on extension of pipelines upon completion of the Kirandich phase two water supply.
Phase two of the project supposed to be financed by Sh1.8 billion loan facility from Italian government is expected to serve over 65,000 people with clean piped water from the 12,000 currently accessing the precious commodity.
Kirdam Road Race chairman Isaiah Cherutich stated that annual sporting event does not only seek to nurture upcoming sporting talents, but also address other pertinent issues like provision of water and sewerage system in towns such as Kabarnet, which was experiencing population increase.
Cherutich noted that the distribution of clean water in Baringo Central will improve healthy conditions of residents, reduce water borne related diseases and even reduce number of school dropout cases since most of learners spend much of their valuable time in search of consumable water at the expense of studies.
Kapropita member of county assembly (MCA) Jeniffer Kabon who witnessed the distribution exercise said through such efforts the people will start engaging in vegetable and fruit farming within their homesteads and other productive economic enterprises like dairy and poultry farming which require constant supply of water.
Veronicah Kemei, one of the beneficiaries, said the water tanks will be of great help to them because it will relieve them from the agony of trekking to stream and springs to fetch untreated water on a daily basis.
Kemei also lauded Kandie for being one of the best performing MPs in the county saying he had also donated ambulances to health facilities in remote zones and fire engines to Kabarnet municipality.
By Benson Kelio/Joshua Kibet
