The County government of Murang’a has embarked on drilling 20 boreholes in an effort to increase water connections to local homesteads. Governor Irungu Kang’ata on Wednesday revealed that his administration will give priority to semi-arid areas which have low water connections. Kang’ata said residents in some wards have requested for provision of water noting that the boreholes will complement water being provided by local water firms. The Governor spoke when he launched drilling of a borehole at Mbogoini Primary School in Kuhumbu Ward of Kigumo Sub County during celebrations to mark World’s Water Day. He disclosed that water connection in the County currently stands at about 60 per cent and with the addition of the boreholes, the connectivity is expected to increase to more than 70 per cent. ‘Water is one of our priorities and the County administration is working with local water companies to increase connections to homesteads,’ he stated. Some Wards which lie in semiarid areas including Makuyu, Kambiti, Ithanga among others, Kang’ata noted, are slated to benefit from boreholes before closure of the year. Noting that water connections in Kahumbu ward is low, the county boss noted the Mbogoini borehole is expected to serve more than 15 000 homesteads thus boost water supply to residents. Some of the leaders who graced the occasion called for proper coordination between National and County government water projects. Kigumo MP Joseph Munyoro said despite his Constituency having permanent rivers, water connection is low but with better planning water can be tapped from Aberdare forests and be distributed to locals. ‘We appreciate the borehole but since the national government has the responsibility of providing bulky water, we request for a major project which will see water being tapped from upper parts of the constituency and be distributed to locals especially to lower parts of Kahumbu which receive minimal rainfall,’ added Munyoro. His words were echoed by the County Woman Representative, Betty Maina who called for more resources to implement water projects. She said as the County embarks to provide domestic water, there is a need to provide the commodity to actualize irrigation farming. ‘There is a need to provide water for irrigation farming. Currently people are experiencing food shortage due to a prolonged dry spell which was experienced in the county,’ she averred. Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company Managing Director Engineer Daniel Ng’ang’a lauded the sinking of water boreholes saying the move will ensure they have plenty of the commodity to connect more families. He revealed that his company has embarked to conserve water catchment areas by planting trees so as to ensure continuous availability of water. ‘We have a target to plant more than 10, 000 seedlings at water catchment areas. We have also engaged community leaders to help us mitigate vandalism of our infrastructure which is frustrating efforts to effectively provide water in some parts of our area of jurisdiction,’ added Ng’anga.
Source: Kenya News Agency