The County Government of Makueni has embarked on an ambitious project to provide water to the residents in an effort to alleviate the acute shortage they face; area Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has said.
The Governor who was speaking during the Madaraka Day celebrations held at Mukuyuni Primary School revealed that his government has initiated Ndukuma Dam Rehabilitation and the construction of Mulima Water Purification Plant, Athi-Tunguni-Kilema and Athi-Kalawa projects that are going to provide long-term solutions to the acute shortage of water in the county.
“We assumed office in a period when Makueni faced with crippling water deficit, prolonged droughts with women and children walking up to five kilometres in search of water,” said Mutula while reading his speech to wananchi at Mukuyuni Primary school during this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations on Sunday.
“This was not just an inconvenience but a barrier to health, education and economic progress. To bridge this gap, we embarked on an ambitious dual strategy: mega infrastructure projects for long-term solutions and accelerated distribution to provide immediate relief,” he added.
While he did not say how many residents will benefit, the Governor said that the water projects were at stages nearing completion.
Also, the county boss disclosed that the county government, in collaboration with partners, has drilled and equipped 10 boreholes in the 2024/2025 financial year saying another 15 will be sunk in the coming 2025/2026 financial year.
Further, Mutula said that Water Mission, World Vision, USAID and Welthungerhilfe (WHH) as some of the partners they have collaborated with in drilling boreholes that alleviated the suffering of residents in search of water in the area.
He revealed that through the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLOCA) program, which blends water access with agricultural resilience and environmental conservation, they implemented additional projects worth over Sh200 million in this financial year.
“We have prioritized last mile water connectivity, targeting at least two major water sources in each of the 30 wards where a total of Sh403 million will be spent in the 2025/2026 financial year,” noted Mutula.
By Patrick Nyakundi
