More than 50,000 residents of Gichugu Constituency are set to benefit from a Sh200 million water project following a public participation forum led by area MP Robert Gichimu.
The public engagement meeting was held at Ithareini Village, Kabare Ward and brought together residents, leaders, and technical officers to deliberate on the proposed project before implementation begins.
The project will draw supply from Muratiri, Kerugoya, Kutus, Kagio, and Sagana water projects and is designed to address long-standing water shortage that affected households, schools, health facilities, and farmers in the constituency.
Speaking during the forum, Gichimu said the public participation exercise was meant to ensure that the voices of residents are incorporated into the planning and execution of the project, in line with the Constitution’s requirement for citizen involvement in development initiatives.
“Public participation is not a formality. It is an important process that helps us deliver projects that respond directly to the needs of the people,” Gichimu said.
According to the legislator, residents have strongly embraced the project, citing its potential to improve access to clean and reliable water for both domestic and agricultural uses. He explained that the project will be implemented in phases, with the first phase focusing on the construction of the main water transmission line.
“Once the main line is completed, we shall move to the second phase, which will involve last-mile connections to households and institutions. My office will follow up to ensure no area is left behind,” he added.
The legislator disclosed that the project is valued at Sh200 million, funded through Integrated Development and Equalisation Programme (IDEP) savings, with other resources pooled from various development allocations to maximise impact.
Upon completion, he added, the project is expected to significantly improve living standards and support farming activities, particularly small-scale irrigation.
The MP assured residents that their feedback would be documented and forwarded to the relevant implementing agencies, reiterating his commitment to championing development projects that uplift livelihoods and promote inclusive growth.
He added that once completed by the end of 2026, the project will not only improve access to clean water but also support economic activities, enhance food security, and contribute to overall socio-economic development in Gichugu Constituency.
Residents who attended the forum expressed optimism, saying the project will bring an end to years of hardship caused by unreliable and unsafe water sources.
Grace Wanjiku, a resident of Ithareini village, said many families have been forced to rely on nearby rivers for water, exposing them to health risks.
“We have been using river water for many years, and sometimes we have to use donkeys to transport clean water from far places. This has been exhausting and unsafe, especially for children and the elderly,” she said.
Wanjiku noted that access to water will allow families to establish kitchen gardens and thus improve on nutrition. This would also enable them to save money that would otherwise go to buying food.
Another resident, Mugoh Mwaura, called on the government to fast-track the project, saying the community is ready to support its implementation. “We urge the authorities to move with speed. Water is life, and this project will change our lives if implemented without delay,” he said.
Local leaders who attended the meeting emphasised the importance of community ownership, urging residents to protect the infrastructure once installed to ensure long-term sustainability.
By David Wandeto
