Kirinyaga county government has allocated Sh100 million for the expansion of a bulk water project to serve 30,000 households in Mwea subcounty.
The allocation will cover phase 1 of the extension of the Kutus-Kimbimbi bulk water main pipeline and feeder lines to supply domestic water to residents of Gathigiriri, Tebere and Thiba wards.
Governor Anne Waiguru said supply of clean water in the villages across eight wards would help reduce the burden of waterborne diseases caused by consumption of contaminated water.
Speaking while addressing MCAs in the county assembly, Waiguru said Mutithi and Wamumu wards will be supplied with piped water through the extension of the Kandongu-Mutithi bulk water pipeline.
“Compared to other subcounties, Mwea is lagging in water coverage both for domestic and irrigation uses. This is why we are investing a lot of resources to ensure each resident has access to piped water,” Waiguru said.
She said Nyangati and parts of Gathigiriri and Tebere will be connected to the commodity once the Nyamindi intake is rehabilitated while Kangai ward will be served through the extension of existing lines to areas such as Kombuini, Kangai and Karii.
The governor said residents of Murinduko ward will be supplied with water after completion of the Mugaro water project whose construction started in 2018.
Further, Waiguru said the county government is currently implementing 33 projects worth Sh44.8 million and which include boreholes, intake constructions and supply of water fittings to raise water coverage in the county from the current 68 per cent to 78 per cent.
Through direct investment and community collaboration, Waiguru said her administration has implemented over 200 water projects, raising the number of active water projects from 170 in 2017 to 370 currently and extending safe and reliable water to more than 100,000 households.
“The above investment in water projects collectively increased household connections from 67,790 in 2017 to current 139,596 reducing the burden of fetching water from distant or unsafe sources leading to improved hygiene and a reduction in waterborne diseases,” the governor said.
The raised connections have also enabled residents to engage in small-scale irrigation, livestock keeping and establishment of cottage industries, enhancing their economic productivity.
The county is also in the process of installing 27 electro-magnetic zonal meters and District Metering Area systems to monitor water flow and billing in specific service zones to curb water losses.
Already, the county has managed to reduce non-revenue water from 59 per cent to 47 per cent and aims at further reducing it to below 35 per cent by next year.
This, she explained, has been achieved through installation of a master meter at the Muratiri Water Treatment Plant, allowing for accurate monitoring of water production against consumption.
Water losses have been attributed to unmetered water connections for community water projects, illegal connections, old and dilapidated infrastructure, leakages and bursts.
She noted that reforms implemented in Kirinyaga County Water and Sanitation Company have enhanced accountability, improved operational efficiency and positioned the utility to serve the growing population better.
by ALICE WAITHERA
