Cabinet Secretary for Water and Irrigation Eric Mugaa has assured residents of Igembe in Meru County that the region’s persistent water shortages will soon be a thing of past, following the allocation of Sh250 million to rehabilitate dams in Nyambene Forest.
Speaking during a church fundraising service at Kautine SDA Church on Saturday, Mugaa said the government has prioritised water access, noting that mapping has already confirmed the availability of adequate water resources in the area.
“We have confirmed that Igembe has water. At Mwerongundu, test pumping produced 10,000 litres per hour, and plans are underway to pipe this water to Laare market,” said Mugaa.
The CS clarified that the Sh250 million will be used to rehabilitate four dams located in Nyambene Forest, which are expected to supply water across the wider Nyambene region once fully restored.
“These dams are strategic and are meant to serve the entire Nyambene area. Their rehabilitation will significantly improve water availability,” he said, adding that the works will be undertaken in partnership with the Tana Water Works Development Agency.
Mugaa also pledged to follow up on stalled projects, including the Nairuru water project, and to oversee the drilling of additional boreholes, among them one at KK Baithai.
Igembe North MP Julius Taitumu called on residents to support the national government, saying development projects are tied to political goodwill and continuity in leadership.
According to Taitumu, public officials are appointed by the sitting authority, and maintaining cooperation with the government of the day can help ensure continuity in leadership and enable appointed leaders to remain in office and oversee the completion of development projects.
He highlighted ongoing development efforts in the constituency, citing road infrastructure such as the Sh1.7 billion Kaelo–Kinanduba–Marere road, as well as improvements in schools, electricity connectivity and laboratories.
Taitumu urged residents to critically assess leaders based on their track record, noting that effective leadership is reflected in completed projects rather than promises.
He also encouraged voter registration, saying a strong voter base would enable residents to influence development priorities and sustain government support for key projects in the region.
Former Igembe North MP Joseph M’Eruaki, who also serves as chairperson of the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, attributed the region’s water challenges to leadership gaps rather than lack of natural resources.
“The main challenge is leadership rather than water scarcity.” M’Eruaki said, adding that in previous cases some contractors received funds but later claimed there was no water, a claim he disputed.
Eruaki recalled that during his tenure, there were ongoing projects aimed at distributing water across Igembe North, expressing optimism that the current administration would revive and complete them.
“We had a clear plan to ensure water reaches residents. If the government utilises existing infrastructure and completes stalled works, the people of Igembe will finally benefit,” he added.
He further noted that improved infrastructure and government investment, including training institutions, would play a key role in curbing insecurity in the region.
Eruaki urged residents to evaluate leaders based on their vision and commitment to development before electing them, saying informed choices are key to addressing long-standing challenges such as water scarcity and insecurity.
By Kamanja Maeria
