By P, KNA
The World Bank (WB) through the Kenya Watershed Services Improvement Programme (KEWASIP) will spend 150 million to restore degraded Ecosystems in Makueni County, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has announced.
Mutula said the degraded areas to be restored include watersheds, revive ecosystem health, improve water security and boost resilience to climate change.
“KEWASIP alongside our county’s own water- governance and infrastructure reforms, will strengthen our capacity to manage water sustainably,” said Mutula, after reading his speech during Jamhuri Day creations held at Kikima Comprehensive School, Friday.
He called upon every resident, leader, farmer, youth and women to supplement government’s efforts and restore landscapes, steward forests, catchments areas and make Makueni a model of sustainable, climate resilient development for generations to come.
“As we celebrate our nationhood, today, let us also renew our resolve: to protect our Landscapes, conserve our water and build a Makueni, where no child goes thirsty, where farms flourish and where nature and people thrive in harmony,” he added.
In another development, the Governor disclosed that Makueni County has been allocated Sh 130 million under the Kenya Water Sanitation and Hygiene Programme (K-WASH), aimed at improving access to clean water and sanitation.
“This achievement has come after the County developed a County Water and Sanitation Strategy and Investment Plan. Kibwezi- Makindu Water Company has also qualified for additional Sh 37 million for Financial Reporting Excellency and received Unqualified Audit Opinion,” said Mutula.
“These resources will be invested in enhancing water and sanitation services, including getting more villages declared open defecation free for sustainable community sanitation. We are not relenting until we address water governance issues in the water sector,” posed the Governor.
Mutula said that his Administration has completed the Sh 68 million Athi-Kilema-Tunguni Water project, which is now operational serving 42,500 households in Kikumbulyu North, Makindu and Nguumo wards.