Kisii Women Representative Dorice Aburi has embarked on drilling boreholes within the county through the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) kitty in order to increase access to clean water in rural areas.
Speaking when launching the drilling of a borehole in Tabaka Ward, South Mugirango Constituency, Aburi said that adequate water supply among households in the community will promote increased agricultural productivity and advance food security.
The Women Representative pointed out that Kisii had not been considered for the national water harvesting and storage programmes despite the county experiencing adequate rainfall.
“We want to confirm that Kisii residents are in need of water, and we are urging the national government to provide the residents with water storage facilities so that they can harvest it for agricultural activities,” she said.
Aburi decried the over-reliance on donor funding for development activities in the region, saying the residents need to be empowered so that they are able to cater for their own needs and address emerging challenges as they arise.
She urged the government to readily provide tree seedlings to the residents in order to improve the availability of water as well as employ Field Extension Officers to test soil fertility and advise farmers on the best agricultural practices.
Tabaka Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA), Jim Kenyanya, lauded the NGAAF for supporting the initiative, saying the residents have been travelling long distances in search of clean water, especially during the dry season.
“This water project is a big milestone for this community, and I want to assure my people that we are committed to working together with the national government to ensure that we fulfil the promises that we made to them during the campaigns,” said Kenyanya.
Notably, Aburi also launched the drilling of two other boreholes in Magena and Masimba towns in Kenyenya and Masaba South Sub-Counties, respectively.
By Mercy Osongo
