More than 30, 000 residents drawn from parts of Murang’a East Sub County are set to get connected to piped water for domestic use.
Eight schools and several administration offices drawn from Kimathi Sub location are also set to get clean water once construction of a mega tank is completed.
Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (MUWASCO) in partnership with a charity organization have embarked in construction of a 300, 000-litre water tank at Kiamuti forest which will enable easy distribution of water to the villages.
The villages to benefit from the stable water supply include Kiangatia, Githuuri, Mumbu, Thanju, Wahuko, Mutitu, Matongu, Thangathi, Gathanjiini, Gakonya and Kabuta.
The water tank that will be funded at a tune of Sh2.5 million by Can-Do-Kids organization under the patronage of Engineer Karanja Wamatangi will help water storage, ending perennial water shortage of the community in the villages.
MUWASCO will support in installing pipes and provision of clean water from Kiawambeu water treatment plant at cost of about Sh2 million.
MUWASCO’s Public Relations Officer Jacob Mbuthia speaking during commissioning of construction of the water tank said the project will take at most a period of six weeks and by end of September the locals will access clean water at their homes.
The targeted areas, Mbuthia observed, have seen an increase of residential premises as many people are moving away from Murang’a town to settle in Kabuta area.
He noted in the past, the company was not able to reach many residents as there was no storage tank adding that the facility will help in storage of high volume of water which enables water to flow in high pressure and reach many locals.
“The project will also help three police stations, three chiefs’ camps and more than eight schools from this sub location get water. In the past, the locals have relied on water from streams and dams which is not clean and often causes spread of water borne diseases,” remarked Mbuthia.
He observed that the company which provides water to Murang’a town and its environs is targeting to connect more than 100, 000 residents with clean water by end of the year.
Speaking on behalf of Wamatangi’s team, George Gathuru said the water tank is among other tanks the organization is doing for the community.
He stated that already through the partnership with MUWASCO, the organization has made three other tanks aimed to facilitate easy distribution of water to villages.
Gathuru added that they are targeting to build 10 community water tanks by the end of the year saying the move is aimed to reduce spread of water borne diseases.
“We will continue partnering with water firms in Murang’a in ensuring many local residents get connected to clean water,” he added.
A local resident Kabiru Mwangi lauded the move to have the water narrating how locals have been exposed to diseases by consuming unclean water.
“As residents from Kimathi, we will support and own this project as it will help in alleviating water shortage in the area,” said Mwangi.
By Bernard Munyao
