The Phase 11 of the proposed Ndumango water project set to benefit at least 2,500 residents of Ngoliba ward in Thika East Sub County has commenced.
Piping from the water reservoir at Maguguni 10 kilometers away to households and farms in Ngoliba area which started last week will be completed in
two months’ time, bringing to an end years of suffering from perennial water shortage.
The Sh. 400 million water project which had previously been launched by the National Irrigation Board (NIB) in 2014 was meant to benefit residents of Ndula, Magogoni and Ngoliba locations.
It stalled for years before the intervention of Thika MP Patrick Wainaina last year leading to the completion of phase 1.
Residents of the location that borders Yatta in Machakos County had complained of being sidelined before the recent intervention, citing chronic food and water shortages.
They claimed that they had been frequenting hospitals after contracting water borne diseases for using water from the heavily polluted Athi and Thika rivers.
They also complained that their expansive parcels of land were a waste as they had gone several seasons without meaningful harvests.
Chairman, Ngoliba Farmers Association James Kamau said with enough water, they can engage themselves fully in their farms.
“If this water project is fully implemented, we shall be food secure. We have expansive and fertile lands,” he said.
Thika MP said the climatic conditions made the area food insecure leading to overreliance on relief food.
“This project will increase food security through increased access to safe water and agriculture support. It will turn this area to a food basket for not only Kiambu but also the neighbouring Machakos and Murang’a County,” said Wainaina during the commissioning of the project Tuesday.
Once the whole Ndumango project is completed, it will benefit close to 10,000 residents, opening up the expansive lands to irrigation and will certainly keep residents engaged in their farms.
By Muoki Charles
