Kitui South residents have endured water scarcity for decades, but relief has come with the commissioning of River Athi–Kangu Kangu–Water project by Kitui County Governor Dr. Julius Malombe.
The multi-million water project, funded jointly by World Vision and Kitui county government to a tune of Sh840 million, is set to benefit over 100,000 residents living across the vast Kitui South constituency among them Mutomo–Ikutha–Kanziko–Mathima areas. The project will be producing over 1.4 million litres of clean water daily.
Speaking while commissioning the project at a ceremony held at Mutomo market in Kitui South Monday, Governor Malombe reiterated that the completion and operationalisation of Kangu Kangu Water project is a major milestone in the county’s quest for universal access to clean and safe drinking water for all Kitui South residents.
Alongside enhancing water accessibility amongst the local communities and easing the burden of long treks in search of water, the project provides WHO-standard water, significantly boosting sanitation, hygiene, reduce waterborne diseases and also improving agricultural productivity through irrigation.
While reiterating his administration’s commitment to ensuring that clean water is supplied to all households across the vast Kitui County, Malombe also noted that Kangu Kangu Water project is a game changer as the reliable water supply would uplift thousands of livelihoods and open new economic opportunities to the residents.
“This will be achieved by having water points (kiosks) as close as a distance of two kilometers for easy accessibility as well turn around the time taken by the local communities while in search of clean water,” he said.
Governor Malombe also noted that the newly commissioned water project would be managed by Kitui Water and Sanitation Company (KITWASCO) for sustainability.
The Governor urged the beneficiaries to contribute a small fee for water usage to facilitate proper management and maintenance of the project.
“It’s a must for this project to be managed professionally. Don’t charge a lot of money, but make a reasonable affordable cost that can help manage and maintain this project,” Dr. Malombe advised.
However, he decried cases of vandalism affecting similar projects and directed the Water and Irrigation Minister to work with KITWASCO and local administrations in Lower Yatta, Mutomo, and Ikutha to end the vice.
The water project, which was first conceptualized in 2014 in partnership with World Vision Kenya, features a 224-kilometre pipeline network, 13 storage tanks, and 52 water kiosks. It is designed to serve more than 100,000 residents across Kitui South and parts of Kitui Rural, including towns, schools, and health facilities.
The Sh840 million flagship project is set to directly address the constitutional right to water, Kenya Vision 2030, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Kitui’s development agenda.
The governor further highlighted ongoing complementary efforts, including borehole drilling, sump wells, earth dams, and sand dams across the county.
He praised the World Vision Kenya, county technical teams, and residents for their patience and partnership, and urged communities to protect the infrastructure from vandalism.
While speaking during the water project commissioning ceremony, the National Director of World Vision Kenya Gilbert Kamanga appealed to the county government to consider installing solar power to pump water from the Kangu Kangu project to reduce electricity costs while subsequently lowering the amount of money residents would be required to pay for water.
By Denson Mututo
