The government has released Sh.700m for the provision of water at the special economic zone that will host an industrial park and dry port at Mai-Mahiu area of Naivasha.
The Principal Secretary in Charge of Water (PS), Joseph Irungu said drilling of water at the multi-billion Special Economic Zone has started and is expected to supply 8,000 cubic meters of water daily.
Irungu explained further that Sh.50m will be used to drill and equip the five boreholes that are located near Delamere farm in Naivasha, adding that the boreholes will produce fluoride-free water that will be adequate for the economic zone.
Addressing the press after visiting the site, the PS said the 1,000 acres industrial park was now a reality adding that a lot of water was needed as works by various investors kicks off in the next few months.
Irungu said that plans were at an advanced stage to construct a dam in Malewa River in Kinangop area of Nyandarua County which will supply more water at the zone and also in the region.
He stated that the water from the five boreholes in Naivasha will be purely for use at the economic zone and that the water had been tested and proved to be fit for human consumption.
The PS said the World Bank (WB) had set aside Sh.100m for the design of the water dam whose waters would also be supplied to the area residents for domestic use.
“The water dam in Kinangop is a long term project and we are in the process of designing it as we seek for more funds to complete it,” he said.
The CEO Rift Valley Water and Sewerage Board, Hosea Wendoh said that the five boreholes had the capacity of producing 9,000 cubic meters per day against the 8,000 cubic meters needed per day in the economic zone.
On the issue of water treatment, he said that they would be seeking land in the economic zone to set a treatment plant where all the waste would be treated through biological treatment.
By Esther Mwangi/Hannah Wangui
