The residents of Ithanga/ Kakuzi Sub County in the lower Gatanga region, Murang’a County have petitioned the government to fast-track completion of all the ongoing water projects in order to cushion them from perennial food shortage.
The inhabitants of Ithanga and Kakuzi-Mitubiri wards said if they are supplied with water for irrigation, they will be able to fend for themselves without solely relying on food rations from the government.
Lower Gatanga region is arid and is often faced by acute drought that leads to famine due to lack of rain and without the provision of piped water residents trek many kilometres in search of water from dry riverbeds.
Speaking at Ngelelya town, during an economic empowerment forum organized by the area Woman representative Betty Maina, the residents noted that they rely on donkey cart water vendors to supply them with the basic commodity at Sh20 per twenty-litre jerican.
“We are a hardworking people and if we can get water for consumption and irrigation it will support irrigation and animal husbandry that will go a long way in helping us put food on the table,” said Joyce Muthini, one of the residents.
“We will also be able to meet the education needs of our children from the sale of our farm produce, but now we have to rely on handouts for survival because this area is dry,” she added.
Muthini revealed that the water they use in homes is delivered by donkey carts and motorbikes at Sh20 per twenty-litre jerrican, which does not even suffice for domestic consumption.
A water vendor, Kennedy Waweru echoed similar sentiments saying provision of water will boost the economy of the region through agriculture.
“I use my donkey cart to get water from a borehole several kilometres from here, I purchase the commodity at Sh 10 per twenty litre jerrican which I resell at Sh20 making a profit of sh10 per jerrican,” he says.
“However, as much as it is a business for me, having water in this region would really improve the economy as the residents will be able to grow fruits, vegetables and even maize that would do very well here,” he added.
On his part, Joseph Kimani wonders why Masinga dam is within their proximity, yet they do not have a single drop of water.
“All we want is water to nurture our plants, especially mangoes, and oranges, which we will be able to sell and earn a livelihood instead of relying on handouts every dry season,” notes Kimani.
“We will grow even vegetables and sell the surplus; I urge the government to ensure we get connected with water,” he said.
On her part, the women representative who also supplied 20 learning institutions with water storage tanks urged the institutions to harvest water when the March-April rains set in.
“Harvest the water so that our learners can put their jerricans down and spend more time studying because education is the world’s game changer,” stated Maina, while further urging the government to expedite the completion of the Sh3.6 billion Ithanga water project that was commissioned by President William Ruto last month.
The event was also attended by the Athi Water Works Board Chair Charles Karondo who assured the residents that the government will complete all the water projects in the region and make food security a reality for the people.
Karondo underscored that the government was keen on correcting the historical injustices that have plagued the region for a long time.
“Ndakaini Dam is the largest water reservoir that supplies water to Nairobi, yet the locals do not have enough, we will make sure that the county basin has enough for irrigation and consumption before disbursing to other areas,” he said.
Mwala Member of Parliament, Vincent Kawaya who is also the chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Petroleum was also in attendance.
Kawaya disclosed that with consultation with the leaders from Murang’a they will liaise with the National Irrigation Authority to oversee the desilitation of dams in the region so as to harvest more water for irrigation during the dry season.
During the event that was well-attended event, women groups were issued with cheques from the National Government Affirmative Action Funds (NGAAF), 1000 elders above 67 years of age received blankets, while all the attendees present received food essentials.
By Florence Kinyua
