Kwale county government has launched solar powered water schemes in rural areas to enable residents’ access clean potable water for domestic and agricultural use through irrigation.
Governor Fatuma Achani says the solar powered water projects will increase access to safe drinking water, improve hygiene and basic sanitation across the coastal county.
The Governor said the solar water initiatives are being executed following wide consultations with residents at the grassroots level to unlock economic opportunities.
Achani noted that the solar water projects and pumps will also support improving agriculture and attaining food security in the county, noting that food security is top of her agenda through improvement of agricultural production.
“This new solar powered water scheme seeks to provide sustainable access to clean and safe drinking water for the community which is a vital resource that has long been scarce in rural and far flung parts of our county,” she said.
Achani spoke when she led the groundbreaking ceremony for the installation of two solar water projects at Mlongotoni and Bodo areas in Ramisi Ward of Msambweni Sub County and handed over Mkonjwe borehole to residents of Mkonjwe Dzombo ward for use.
She said the county will support the implementation of renewable sources of energy to power water sources for the vulnerable communities.
“We are working tirelessly in setting up the best infrastructure in matters of addressing water scarcity to the residents of our county, “she said.
The Governor revealed that the two solar water projects consist of solar pumping and distribution systems, motorised boreholes and their accessories and 10,000 litre tanks capacity and security fences.
Achani vowed that her administration will continue to engage residents in the implementation of projects that have positive bearing on their lives and reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring the timely completion of projects across Kwale.
The coastal county boss pointed out that the new investment in the water sector would make potable water available to all residents.
She said provision of safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene are fundamental to improving the living standards of the people and expressed her commitment to ensuring that Kwale county residents have access to safe and reliable water supply near them.
“We will continue to drill boreholes in the lower region of Kwale and construct dams in the drought prone areas of Kinango and LungaLunga Sub-Counties to make Kwale a self-reliant region in food production through irrigation of food crops,” Achani said.
Christin Mwadele, a resident of Mlongotoni Village commended the county for the solar water project saying that it’s a game changer for the locals who had to walk long distances in search of the precious commodity.
“I want to thank our Governor for the water project as it will reduce the burden of women who have to walk long distances in search of water putting them at risk of being attacked by wild animals in search of water,” Mwadele said.
By Hussein Abdullahi
