At least 45,000 residents of Kabuta area in Kiharu constituency in Murang’a County will soon enjoy a stable supply of clean and, safe water for domestic use after commissioning of a mega water tank project.
A tank which was constructed by an American charity organization in partnership with a local water company will ensure more than 45, 000 people access water without rationing.
The 225, 000-litre community tank was funded by Can-Do-Kids organization in partnership with Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (Muwasco).
Muwasco Technical Services manager, Engineer Peter Karenju speaking during launching of the tank on Tuesday, said the tank will facilitate storage and easy distribution of water to residents in Kabuta, Githuuri, and Kimathi among other local villages.
“The tank will be able to serve each and every homestead in this division. Before, water was being given to local residents through a rationing method but from now, water will be plenty and enable people to always access clean and safe water,” said Kirenju.
The company, Kirenju added, installed water pipes to the tank from Murang’a town and is currently distributing water to local homesteads saying the work has cost a tune of sh. 17 million.
“The money we have utilized was donated by the world bank through the government of Kenya which was given to support universal water coverage,” he further said.
The Patron of Can-Do-Kids Engineer Karanja Wamatangi said the tank will end perennial water shortage in the area.
He observed that the division lies in a semiarid area and initially locals were forced to walk for long distances to fetch water, adding that the water sourced from rivers exposed the residents to water borne diseases.
“Can-Do-Kid organization acted on a proposal from Muwasco to support construction of community tanks. Already we have done three of the tanks and we are targeting to do 12 mega community tanks,” added Wamatangi.
The organization has been constructing water tanks to local schools where currently it has done 63 tanks. The tanks have enabled the schools to harvest and store water which has assisted to improve hygiene and sanitation in the institutions.
Wamatangi said so far the organization has used more than Sh. 70 million to construct the mega water tanks for the schools and that of the community.
“On the part of schools, Can-Do-Kids is targeting to build 200 water tanks for schools, now we have attained 63 and the construction programme is still going on,” he added.
Wamatangi urged the water company to consider lowering the water connection fee and especially to the less fortunate so as to ensure every family gets tap water.
A local resident Peter Manyeki appreciated the project saying it will relieve locals of the hustle of going long distances to access water.
“We are used to fetching water from rivers which are far away from our homes. We appreciate Can-Do-Kids and the local water company for coming together to ensure we can access water in our homes,” he added.
Another resident, Agnes Karoki, reflected how she lost her young son when he fell down while he was in the process of fetching water from a river.
She said the project will be of great benefit especially to women who take a lot of time to search for water in rivers among other sources.
By Bernard Munyao
