Residents of lower Kandara are set to benefit from improved access to clean and reliable water following plans by the Murang’a County government to construct a new water intake and treatment plant at Kagunduini.
The proposed project is part of the county government’s ongoing efforts to address persistent water shortages that have affected several parts of Murang’a by expanding water infrastructure and bringing water sources closer to consumers.
Governor Irungu Kang’ata through a public notice, said the county had undertaken an assessment of the water situation in lower Kandara and identified low water supply volumes and the location of existing water sources upstream as the major causes of the shortages.
“We have analyzed the persistent problem of insufficient water supply in Lower Kandara and noted two main causes. 1. low water supply volumes and 2. existing water sources being too far upstream, leaving lower regions with shortages,” said Kang’ata in a public notice.
He noted that the county had embarked on a strategy of establishing new water intakes in Murang’a’s middle belt to improve water distribution to underserved areas.
“The County has been designing new water intakes in Murang’a’s middle belt. Likewise, we now plan to design a new water intake and treatment plant at Kagunduini to serve lower parts of Kandara Sub County,” he said.
The treatment plant is proposed to be situated on land belonging to Kagunduini Health Centre and is expected to serve thousands of residents across Kagunduini, Kinyoho, Nduka Nguru, Kamunyaka, Kabati, Makenji and the Kenneth Matiba Hospital areas.
The county administration states that the project follows the same model being implemented under the ongoing lower Kigumo Water Project in Kiamatumbi Village, Muthithi Ward, which is intended to provide a lasting solution to water shortages in the parts of the Sub County.
Beyond improving domestic water supply, the project is also expected to support agricultural activities through irrigation.
Kang’ata said landowners along the Kariti-Kagunduini corridor will benefit from irrigation water once the project is completed.
“Just like Kigumo, Kariti-Kagunduini landowners will also get irrigation water up to the Kagunduini area. From there, we shall utilize the road reserve up to Makenji for further distribution,” he added.
The county government has scheduled a public participation and wayleave-signing exercise for landowners and residents affected by the proposed pipeline route. The meeting will be held at Kioru Coffee Factory Compound on June 22, 2026, at 4.00 p.m.
The exercise will provide stakeholders with an opportunity to learn more about the project, give their views and discuss wayleave arrangements required for the construction of the water infrastructure.
Kang’ata urged residents and landowners to attend the meeting and contribute to the planning process.
“Landowners and residents are urged to attend. Your input will shape a lasting water solution for Lower Kandara,” he remarked.
The proposed intake and treatment plant is expected to significantly boost water supply in Lower Kandara, ease shortages that have persisted for years and support both household consumption and agricultural production, advancing the county government’s agenda of improving access to essential services across Murang’a.
by Bernard Munyao
