The County Government of Makueni, in partnership with the World Vision organisation, has launched a project to drill two boreholes in Kalawa Ward in an effort to boost water supply to the residents, Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Chief Officer (CO) Engineer David Makau has said.
Eng. Makau said that the boreholes will be drilled in Mkelenzu and Maluini villages.
“We have walked across areas like Mkelenzu, where we have established a borehole with a capacity of 20 cubic meters per hour. Additionally, in Maluini, Kalawa ward, we completed another borehole last year with a similar capacity,” said Eng. Makau.
During the launch, the Chief Officer said that the government was making every effort to ensure residents do not trek for over one kilometre to fetch the scarce commodity in the county.
He further said that the water from the boreholes will also benefit residents in the area besides the already constructed Kyamakuthi and Mbasya dams.
At the same time, Eng. Makau said that the Athi-Kalawa Water Project is being implemented jointly with World Vision and it is aimed at putting up a treatment plant and thereafter distributing the water to residents of Kalawa.
“The project will be launched officially in April 2025. It is a large-scale undertaking that we intend to draw the water from and treat it before distributing it to the people for consumption,” he observed.
“Already we have completed piping. Water will also be supplied to nearby schools, police station and other institutions,” Eng. Makau said.
Consequently, he assured residents that the projects will be properly managed by the Mbooni Water and Sanitation Company (MBONWASCO), which will oversee the operations to prevent vandalism of the infrastructure that is rampant for the sustainability of the project.
“We have partnered with MBONWASCO to manage these projects because, in the past, we have had cases of theft. The company will not only provide security but also ensure proper maintenance of the infrastructure,” he added.
Besides improving water accessibility, the projects are also expected to create employment opportunities for locals.
With these developments, Kalawa Ward is poised to experience improved water security, fostering better health, hygiene and economic growth for its people.
By Faith Mutinda
