Machakos County Women Representative Joyce Kamene Kasimbi has launched a county-wide initiative to provide water storage tanks to all public primary schools, a move she says is aimed at improving hygiene and learning conditions for learners.
The program kicked off this week at AIC Kithimani Primary School in Yatta Sub-county, where the first batch of 120 tanks were distributed.
Under the first phase, at least three schools in each of Machakos’ 40 wards will receive tanks, with plans to extend the initiative to ensure every school in the county has at least one tank.
Speaking during the handover ceremony at AIC Kithimani, Kasimbi said access to clean water was critical to the health and dignity of learners.
“Water is life. We want to ensure that our children have a safe and dignified environment where they can access clean water for drinking, sanitation and hygiene,” Kasimbi said.
She added that the project will help reduce water-borne diseases, improve sanitation in schools, and create a better learning environment.
The Women Representative noted that harvesting rainwater during the rainy season will ease the pressure on schools that currently rely on expensive or inconsistent water supplies.
School heads welcomed the intervention. Judith Ngere, Head teacher of AIC Kithimani Primary, said learners had been forced to carry water to school daily for drinking and cleaning.
“We had requested a water tank to ease the burden of water scarcity. This project has come in handy and will help us a great deal in storing water for the entire term,” Ngere said.
Stephen Kamau, Principal of Mbingoni Secondary School, said the institution had been spending heavily to buy water.
“As of now, we will be able to store water in school. This will cut costs and ensure learners don’t miss classes due to water shortages,” Kamau said.
County education officials say the rollout will continue in phases until all public primary and secondary schools in Machakos are covered.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns over water scarcity in parts of the county, particularly during dry seasons when schools struggle to maintain basic hygiene standards.
By Anne Kangero
