Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti is set to make Environmental conservation a key function in her government agenda and is keen on improving the water projects in Machakos
Speaking in Machakos when the water PS Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh paid her a call at her office Wavinya said it was time for the county sorted out the perennial water crisis once and for all.
“My government is keen on investing more in the exploitation of surface water as opposed to groundwater which is not only expensive but also unsustainable. To this effect, I have made environmental conservation a key function of my government agenda,” said Wavinya.
She said that the short and long rain seasons have been unreliable for the past three years leading to scarcity of water supply for both domestic and agricultural use further aggravating the threat of food security in the county.
Wavinya added that More than 90 percent of Machako’s food production activities are purely dependent on rain-fed agriculture, and the absence of sufficient rains has dealt a big blow to its agriculture.
She lamented that the rain crisis has also triggered a depletion of surface water facilities including dams, water pans, wells, and even canals which no longer have the capacity to support sustainable agriculture.
Wavinya reiterated that another way to deal with the crisis is to adopt long and short-term measures including environmental conservation campaigns.
“To deal with this crisis, my government has adopted strategic measures – both short term and long term to mitigate these effects including environmental conservation campaigns and a Climate Action Plan,” added the Governor.
She further noted that her government has managed to desilt and repair a total of thirteen dams spread across the county, replaced four borehole pumps, and equipped, powered, and repaired several boreholes just within her first 100 days in office.
Wavinya also said she has directed the department of Water in Machakos to develop a policy framework that will be used to address the water needs of Machakos county residents.
Wavinya thanked the President for his commitment to upgrading the Masinga Dam intake which will cost 300, Million shillings. The project serves Masinga Sub County in Machakos and Kitui County.
On his part, the PS Water Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh said that the National government is currently implementing several water projects across the country amounting to Ksh 661 billion.
Ps Kipronoh added that the ministry will scrutinize all water projects line by line to ensure there is value for money in each and every item put in tenders for dams, water pans, boreholes, and other water works.
The PS and Wavinya signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the utilization and management of Masinga Dam water.
The delegation which consisted of Machakos leaders and the County assembly team, Acting County Commissioner David Rotich, and National government water stakeholders later toured the Masinga dam Yatta Canal, Ngoliba dam, and Machakos water and sewerage company.
By Anne Kangero and Rachael Kilonzo
