The government has initiated various water projects in Murang’a county aimed at increasing water connections to homesteads to more than 80 percent by 2022.
Water, Irrigation and sanitation Principal Secretary Joseph Irungu said the national government is currently implementing several projects worth Sh. 10 billion to ensure more homesteads get water.
He spoke as he launched a borehole at Mithandukuini area in Gatanga on Saturday, a project which will see 2, 500 residents get domestic water.
Irungu said the projects which are at different levels of implementation include irrigation which will boost food production in the county.
“In Murang’a we are doing many water projects and once completed in two years’ time, will see water coverage rise from current 63 percent to more than 80 percent,” added the PS.
The Ithanga project, which is being implemented at a cost of Sh.2. 4 billion, he said, is the biggest project and will see residents of lower Gatanga get water for both domestic use and irrigation.
Irungu who was accompanied by other senior officers from his ministry also toured other projects being implemented in upper parts of Gatnga Sub county.
“Murang’a is a very key county when it comes to water as 90 percent of water being supplied to Nairobi comes from this county. The government in a way of compensation has started various projects in all the eight sub counties to ensure people get connected to clean water for domestic use,” he explained.
Meanwhile the PS took a swipe at Murang’a leaders who have been politicizing water projects saying some utterances would slow down implementation of the projects.
He warned leaders of inciting people not to use borehole water saying water from boreholes was clean and safe to be used for domestic purposes.
“Locals should avoid listening to leaders discouraging them from using borehole water on allegations that it’s not safe for use. Some utterances usually demoralize our engineers who use geo technical skills to sink boreholes,” he added.
Governor Mwangi wa Iria has been accusing the ministry of water for sinking boreholes to people of Murang’a instead of connecting them to water from Ndakaini dam, the main water reservoir to Nairobi and its environs.
During the occasion, the National Irrigation Authority distributed 2, 000 avocado seedlings to farmers with aim of increasing tree cover and boosting fruit production in the county.
By Bernard Munyao
