Residents of the semi-arid Solai ward in Rongai sub-county in Nakuru will soon quench their thirst once the ongoing drilling and capping of the Chemarmar Borehole Water Project is completed.
County Chief Officer for Water and Sanitation Eng Margaret Kinyanjui Monday said once the project is completed, it would benefit over 1500 residents who have over the years trekked long distances in search of the precious commodity.
Kinyanjui said the project would provide safe and reliable water to various areas in Solai, including public institutions, and dispensaries such as Kamosop, and Kiptalian.
She commended the progress of the water drilling, noting that the project would alleviate the long-standing water scarcity, which the residents faced for a long time.
Area MCA Mr. Nickson Morogo said the water project will not only assist to provide households with safe and clean water for cooking and drinking, but it will improve the livelihoods of the residents because it will enable irrigation of farms for higher production of food.
An engineer drilling water at Solai Ward in Nakuru County
A thrilled elder Mr. John Rotich who has lived in Solai since his childhood commended the 2010 constitution that created counties, which he claimed have spurred faster development of rural areas throughout the country.
‘Without counties, the drilling of water would not have happened this fast, because we live in a dry area, that nobody cares for, except donations of relief food during periods of severe droughts,’ said Rotich.
Rotich added that the only time the Solai area got the attention of the world was during the infamous dam burst tragedy that claimed a number of lives. However, he said with their large farms and availability of water they will definitely attract more attention not just in the county but countrywide.
Source: Kenya News Agency