Ndune village: Residents of arid Ndune Village in Makima Ward, Embu County, are celebrating a historical milestone following the successful completion of a borehole water project that promises to transform lives.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative, spearheaded by Embu County Woman Representative Pamela Njoki, has reignited new hope for locals by ending decades of struggle in accessing clean domestic water. For years, villagers have been forced to trek long distances to fetch water from the crocodile-infested River Tana and the distant Masinga Dam. These perilous journeys have not only been consuming hours of valuable time but also exposed residents, particularly women and young girls and boys, to life-threatening situations.
The struggle has also had a ripple effect on family life, with some residents noting that the daily challenges of searching for the rare commodity strained marriages, pushing some to the brink of collapse. With the new development, residents are upbeat that those struggles have come to an end, with the water expected to serve multiple purposes, including household use, watering livestock, and supporting small-scale farming.
While commissioning the project on Thursday, the Woman Rep said the borehole was one of her broader agendas for the water-deficient Mbeere South Constituency to improve rural livelihoods through access to basic amenities. 'Access to clean water is a fundamental right. This borehole will not only save lives but also give families more time to engage in productive activities,' she said.
Local leaders present, led by area MCA Philip Nzangi, expressed hope that clean water access would reduce health risks from waterborne diseases as well as increase school attendance by freeing children from water-fetching duties. Nzangi noted that to the village, the borehole was more than just a water source but a lifeline to a healthier and more prosperous future for the residents.
A resident, Sarah Mwikali, said they used to trek up to 10 kilometres, and the little they got had to be used sparingly. 'We used to leave home at sunrise and get back at dusk and this led to a strain on our marriages,' she lamented.