Kitui: Kitui South residents have long struggled with water scarcity, but a new chapter begins with the commissioning of the River Athi-Kangu Kangu-Water project by Kitui County Governor Dr. Julius Malombe.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Sh840 million water project is a collaboration between World Vision and the Kitui county government. It aims to benefit over 100,000 residents in the Kitui South constituency, including the areas of Mutomo, Ikutha, Kanziko, and Mathima. The project is designed to produce more than 1.4 million litres of clean water daily.
During the commissioning ceremony at Mutomo market, Governor Malombe highlighted the significance of the project as a step towards achieving universal access to clean and safe drinking water for all Kitui South residents. The project promises to enhance water accessibility, improve sanitation and hygiene, reduce waterborne diseases, and boost agricultural productivity through irrigation.
Governor Malombe emphasized the project's potential to transform the lives of residents by providing water points within a two-kilometre distance, thereby reducing the time and effort spent searching for clean water. He also noted that the Kitui Water and Sanitation Company (KITWASCO) will manage the project to ensure its sustainability.
Residents are encouraged to contribute a small fee for water usage to support the project's maintenance and management. Governor Malombe cautioned against vandalism, urging the Water and Irrigation Minister to collaborate with KITWASCO and local administrations to prevent such incidents.
Originally conceived in 2014 with World Vision Kenya, the project includes a 224-kilometre pipeline network, 13 storage tanks, and 52 water kiosks, serving Kitui South and parts of Kitui Rural. The Sh840 million initiative aligns with the constitutional right to water, Kenya Vision 2030, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and Kitui's development agenda.
Governor Malombe also mentioned ongoing efforts such as borehole drilling and the construction of sump wells, earth dams, and sand dams across the county. He expressed gratitude to World Vision Kenya, county technical teams, and residents for their collaboration and patience, urging communities to protect the new infrastructure.
At the ceremony, World Vision Kenya's National Director, Gilbert Kamanga, suggested the installation of solar power to pump water from the Kangu Kangu project to cut electricity costs, potentially reducing the financial burden on residents.