Makueni County Secretary Dr. Justin Kyambi has called upon the water sector stakeholders to have a unified approach in tackling the water problem with a view of getting lasting solutions.
Consequently, Dr. Kyambi said in achieving lasting solutions, there was a need to have coordinated efforts from all stakeholders including the government, development partners, communities, non-governmental organizations and state agencies.
“As a government we are committed to providing water to the residents and the governor is focused on this sole agenda. This calls for all of us to put our efforts together in achieving the goal of provision of clean water to the people,” said Dr. Kyambi while opening a water forum in a hotel in Wote town.
“We encourage all our stakeholders in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) to align themselves with the Vision of government in provision of water to the residents. And this time we are not only providing water, but we are also concerned about the quality of water our people consume,” he noted.
Makueni County Government through the Department of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, organized a forum that brought together over 25 stakeholders including both levels of government, development partners, Non-governmental organizations, private sector, state agencies and water providers to explore interventions to alleviate the water problem.
“This forum provides a platform to align Makueni water initiatives with the global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 6, which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030 Vision. Our last-mile water connection program aims to achieve this,” said the Water, Sanitation and Irrigation County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Engineer John Kieti.
He further said it was important to implement digital meters and payment systems across all projects that are being done by the government and development partners to help in water usage, billing and foster transparency hence reduce wastage.
“We must cut water wastage and we can do so by reducing non-revenue water and smart water meters, sensors to detect and report leaks in real time and space,” he added.
During the forum, the stakeholders agreed that there is need for all water sector stakeholders to collaborate in a well-coordinated, inclusive and integrated development approach where projects align with both national and county policies for sustainability.
They also agreed on a need to review partnerships, MOUs and sectoral policies for better service delivery and develop clear guidelines for public private partnerships in water management and enhance coordination between the county, national and WASH stakeholders.
Also present in the forum were CECM for Devolution Nicholas Nzioka, Chief Officer Water and Sanitation David Makau, and Director Water Governance Caroline Ngina among others.
By Patrick Nyakundi and Albanus Kioko
