County boasts of over 1000 water projects since devolution

County government of Machakos has initiated over 1000 water projects in various sub counties since inception in 2013.
Speaking in Machakos town on Monday, Machakos Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua said the projects include 434 solar-powered boreholes, 240 dams and pans and 216 river weirs.
“In 2014/2015 financial year, my government undertook a feasibility study on water issues and sources of water and purchased eight drilling rigs, five bulldozers and six excavators and started using the data we collected,” said Dr. Mutua.
According to the Governor, the county has in addition laid 320 kilometers of new water piping to homes and arrested seasonal river waters by building the river weirs.
“Today, even though we still have some way to go to provide each household with tapped water, we have made major strides and currently hundreds and thousands of our mothers are drawing clean water at home or a few meters from their homes,” said Dr. Mutua.
He however urged the residents to report any broken boreholes not repaired immediately so that his office can get them fixed warning that any officer found to be sleeping on their job will be sent packing.
“Due to the extended dry season, some boreholes may have dried up but that is where the dams come in and we know with the rains, the drying boreholes will be refilled,” said Dr. Mutua
The Governor however acknowledged that there are other projects implemented by the national government and well-wishers adding that they are not included among the ones he had mentioned.
“In our urban areas we have lobbied and raised funds and we have massive treatment plants in Athi River and Yatta. Massive tanks and dams are about to be constructed in Syokimau to address the perennial water problem in Mavoko sub-county area,” added Dr. Mutua
He further revealed that in Machakos town the water treatment plant is being expanded to meet the growing demand and the upcoming Machakos New City.
A spot check by KNA revealed that some of the county projects include the 100-million liter dam at Nthungululu in Ndalani Ward, Yatta sub-county and the ongoing works on the 70-million liter Kibaoni Dam in Kibaoni Ward of Mwala Sub-County.
By Rachael Kilonzo