Water PS Joseph Irungu has launched several water projects across the country in the last few months that have seen millions of people get clean water.
Early this week, the PS inspected several water projects in Kiambu County.
He was at the proposed Kinale Dam site in Kinale Forest, Lari Constituency.
Irungu said the dam once complete will have a capacity of 47 million litres and will supply water to Lari, Limuru, Kabete and Kikuyu Sub-Counties.
Bathi Dam and water treatment plant which is an existing 18.5-metre-high earth dam constructed in 1983, with a storage capacity of 300 million litres produces 4 million litres of water serving Lari, Ndeiya, Karai and Limuru areas.
“Loromo Water Supply project which is complete and operational serving more than 20,000 residents of Loromo, Limuru, Ndeiya, Nderu and Thigio,” Irungu nsaid.
He said Limuru Water and Sewerage Project serves industrial area, Limuru Town, Karanjee, Misri, Kwa Mbira and Bibirioni and is projected to serve over 50,000 people upon completion.
He also witnessed the groundbreaking of Thigio – Ndeiya Water Supply Project which is set to benefit more than 30,000 residents of Ndeiya and Thigio.
Irungu said all these projects are in upper Kiambu which is water scarce despite Kiambu hosting various water towers that supply water to Lower Kiambu, Ruiru, Juja, Thika and Nairobi.
On June 30th, the PS accompanied President Kenyatta to Kibera and Mathare slums to commission other water projects.
The implementation of the projects was undertaken in two phases.
Irungu said Phase 1 commenced on 6th April 2020 and will provide additional 8 million liters of water per day to serve over 220,000 residents living within Nairobi informal settlements.
He said the scope of works includes: Drilling and equipping of 20 new boreholes,
Construction of 51 no. 24m3 elevated steel tanks on18m high towers Construction of 102 Community water kiosks and distribution networks.
“Phase 2 commenced on 5th May 2020 and will provide additional 8.6 million liters of water per day to serve over 300,000 residents living within Nairobi informal settlements. The scope of works includes: Drilling and equipping of 42 No. Boreholes. Construction of 42 No. 24m3 Elevated steel water tanks,” he said.
Targeted informal settlements include Mukuru, Mathare, Kibera, Southlands Kijiji, Korogocho, Baba dogo, Kayole, Kawangware, Dandora, Huruma, Kaloleni, Gikomba, Mbotela, Dagoretti, Kahawa Soweto, Bangladesh, City Market, Muthurwa Market, Jericho Market and Kamiti areas.
On June 27th, the PS commissioned Mithunduku-ini Water Supply Project in Gatanga, Muranga County.
He said the project will supply 100,000 litres of water per day and benefit over 2500 residents.
Irungu inspected water pipelines and local distribution networks in Kigio and Mabae areas before distributing rainwater harvesting gutters donated by AWWDA.
The National Water Storage and Harvesting Authority (NWHSA)donated 13 tanks of 320 liters to various institutions.
The National Irrigation Authority donated 5000 Hass seedlings to the locals which will go a long way in improving their livelihoods.
He said the Residents of Gatanga are expected to benefit from a roll-out of extensive water supply projects worth 2.9 Billion.
The projects being implemented by Athi Water Works Development Agency, will add an additional 30 Million litres of water per day to the existing Systems.
Some of the Ongoing projects include Ithanga Water Supply Project, 42km water distribution pipeline from Kigoro Water Treatment Plant, Mabae and Kigio distribution networks and Kimakia intake inside Aberdare Forest.
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