In a laudable effort to resolve severe water shortage in the remote Nairutia area of Nyeri county, Mutitu Water Project has delivered the first batch of 5,000-litre water tanks for its 100 members.
The initiative is aimed at increasing the resident’s water security by providing a means of water harvesting and storage during the rainy season in the drought-prone area.
According to the chairman Mutitu Water Project, Joseph Kagiri, the initiative will also support the residents’ transition from rain-fed to irrigation farming.
“As many of you are aware, this region is classified as arid and semi-arid, facing numerous challenges such as drought, inadequate sanitation, and water scarcity. This project will enable them to establish kitchen gardens, allowing them to grow their own food and reduce their reliance on food donations especially during the dry season as has been the norm,” said Kagiri.
Kagiri disclosed that there are plans to extend the project to all of its 6,000 members who are spread across Nyeri, Laikipia, and Nyandarua counties.
The tanks were purchased through a partnership between the community water project and Caritas Microfinance bank.
Through this collaboration, the microfinance will extend a loan facility to members of Mutitu Water Project allowing them to acquire a water tank and repay the loan in one and a half years.
“This partnership is a huge relief to our members, many of whom are farmers and unable to pay the full Sh 27,000 upfront for a 5,000 litres water tank. However, with a kitchen garden they will not only get vegetables for their daily subsistence but once they sell the surplus, they will be able to service the loan, “said Kagiri.
Mary Mithaa a beneficiary praised the empowerment initiative noting that the water tanks will make it easy for her to store adequate water for domestic consumption and also for farming during the dry season.
“The water tank will allow me to store water which I will use in farming mostly during the dry season. It will also save me the time and energy that I used to expend traveling long distances in search of water during the dry season,” she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by John Chege a dairy farmer who said that with the arrival of the tank in his compound he is assured that his livestock and his family will have a constant supply of clean drinking water.
By Wangari Mwangi
