Over 100,000 residents of the semi-arid Mwala constituency in Machakos County will soon benefit from a multi-million water project under implementation.
The massive water and sanitation project which will provide water to several rural towns and their environs in the sun- scorched area of Machakos is funded by the African Development Bank at a cost of over Sh. 538 million according to the Tanathi Water Services Projects Implementation Officer, Eng. Gedion Kavoo.
Eng. Kavoo said survey works have already started at the proposed project, dubbed the Mwala Cluster Water and Sanitation project and the project is supposed to be completed by October next year.
The officer disclosed this on Tuesday when he presented the progress report on the project which commenced in April to the Machakos County Development Implementation and Coordination Committee (CDICC).
The meeting held in Mavoko Sub County, was chaired by the Machakos County Commissioner (CC), Esther Maina and attended by the Lower Eastern Director of Delivery at the President’s Delivery Unit (PDU), Larry Mulomi.
Eng. Kavoo told the meeting that the Board, through its Tanathi Water Works Development Agency is implementing the project under the Kenya Towns Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Programme.
He singled out Mbiuni, Kabaa, Mwala, Makutano and Masii Trading Centres and their environs as some of the areas to benefit from the project that will also benefit residents of neighboring Munyu Town in Kiambu County where the proposed water intake is being constructed. “It will also have a 12 month defects liability period after completion,” he said
The Engineer said the project will source water from Ndarugu River at the Munyu area in Kiambu, 56 Kilometres from Mwala town. “It would comprise of intake works, raw water transmission pipeline, treatment works, reticulation system, strategically placed storage tanks and pumps among other installations,” he added.
Eng. Kavoo added that valuation reports for the compensation of the people who will be displaced by the project are also being fast-tracked, with that for those affected at the intake having been finalized.
“The Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) for the intake and treatment plant have been fast-tracked so as to gain early access to the land for works to start,” he noted.
He similarly revealed that the contractor had already drawn MOUs with Kyuluni, Nzambani and Syathani primary schools where some of the projects tanks will be located. “Kabaa High School Board is yet to meet and determine the request sent to them for use of the land for the proposed 225 cubic meters tank,” he added.
During the meeting the members urged the implementers of the project to involve the County Director of Education’s office in all the issues that touch on learning institutions, particularly on placing tanks on their compounds to avoid future disagreements that may affect the project.
The Committee welcomed the project and thanked ADB for financing the project that will go a long way in alleviating water and food shortage in the targeted areas.
By Justus Keesi
