Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani has reiterated her administration’s commitment to end water scarcity in the coastal county.
Governor Achani says acute water scarcity in Kwale has been a recurring problem that her administration seeks to end for decades.
Achani says the county is involved in the rehabilitation, expansion, and upgrading of water projects aimed at addressing water and sanitation challenges in the region.
“We are cognizant of the significance of sustainable water supply provisions to the livelihood and well-being of the people,” she said.
She called on the residents to own the county projects by ensuring its protection against vandalism and any form of misuse so that the expected benefits would reach the people.
She says the devolved unit is committed to providing easy access to safe water and hygiene, underscoring that they were fundamental for human survival and the rights of the residents.
The county’s main sources of water are boreholes, underground, springs, dams, water pans and rock catchments.
“Easy access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene are fundamental to improving the standards of living in the communities,’ she said.
Achani spoke during the groundbreaking ceremonies of water pipeline projects in Ndavaya and Samburu/Chengoni electoral wards in Kinango sub-county.
The Governor later opened the Mwamivi Dispensary borehole project in Tiwi ward, Matuga Sub-County.
She said the Tiwi borehole project will supply water to the health facility and also the neighbouring communities.
Achani urged the residents to take good care of the water and sanitation projects and safeguard them from vandalism as the county builds a resilient system to supply water.
She says vandalism of water and sanitation infrastructure hinders the county government from fulfilling its service delivery obligations towards communities.
“As a devolved government we are trying to get safe drinking water to residents in rural and urban areas across the county,” she said, adding that there is no reason why residents should not turn on taps and get clean water.
She went further ‘Kwale should not be one of the counties having water challenges in the country because we have plenty of water sources such as the Marere springs’.
Achani said her administration is committed to protecting its natural water resources in order to make potable clean water available and accessible for the residents and businesses.
She noted that the availability of water would end the construction of water storage towers in urban dwellings.
She also expressed confidence that providing water for residents as well as schools, hospitals, and marketplaces would go a long way in tackling open defecation in the county.
Achani says attaining open defecation free is essential explaining that open defecation pollutes the environment and contaminates water sources thereby resulting in water-borne diseases.
By Hussein Abdullahi
