More than 6,000 households in the expansive arid parts of Mai-Mahiu ward and parts of Naivasha are set to benefit from a Sh 28 million water project courtesy of Nakuru County Government.
Nakuru County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Water, Environment, Energy, Natural Resources and Climate Change, Dr Nelson Maara said the project was part of a three-year plan for the County to manage its water resources and improve water security so as to meet the projected future demand of 1413 cubic metres per day by 2033 and ultimately 2481m cubic metres per day by the year 2043.
He explained that people from the areas have been using water from unreliable boreholes and have witnessed perennial water shortage for a long time. “Also set to benefit are water-user groups, local institutions and organizations responsible for providing service, whose capacity and efficiency will be enhanced,” added Maara.
According to Maara, the money will be used to construct a 250 cubic metres underground ground tank, laying 2.5-kilometre pipeline from the production site, laying a further 18-kilometre pipeline for the distribution network and installation of a pump.
The CEC was optimistic that the project will transform the lives of the beneficiaries with future plans to expand the water network to the outskirts of Mai-Mahiu where solar panels would be installed at the production site for efficient pumping and distribution of clean affordable water.
Speaking at Gathima primary school during an inspection tour of the ongoing works, the CECM said the County was expecting the Naivasha Water and Sanitation Services Company (NAIWASSCO), which is undertaking the project to complete the works within the stipulated time.
Maara who was accompanied by County Chief Officer for Water and Sanitation Ms Margaret Kinyanjui and NAIWASSCO Managing Director Engineer Nahashon Wahome, voiced the county government’s commitment to providing adequate resources to improve water piping especially in the rural areas of the county.
The County government, he added, would also ensure proper maintenance of the sewerage systems as well as embracing modern technology in the provision of the services. “As a county, we want to ensure equitable distribution of water and our plan is to start with the arid areas first,” he said.
At the same time, Maara said they would work with the county assembly in formulating policies for the water sector that are geared towards improving governance in the management of water in the county.
Mai-Mahiu Ward Representative Eliud Chege lauded the county government for the initiative, saying the Constitution required that all citizens get access to safe water.
“This is part of the County government’s resilience building programmes that will end the water crisis that has bedeviled the region for many years,” Chege said.
He said women in the area will now have ample time to cook for their children and help fight malnutrition in addition to improving hygiene to help combat cases of water borne diseases.
By Esther Mwangi
