Water PS Paul Rono has called on Kenyans to use water sparingly.
Speaking at a local Hotel during a pre-conference program, the PS said Kenyans waste a lot of water.
The Kenya Water and Sanitation International Conference and exhibition will be held on 25th May 2023 in Mombasa.
He said Kenyans should harvest rain water instead of leaving it to go to waste.
“The Country has 100 dams, 1000 other small dams and water pans. If they are well utilized, there will be no shortage,” he said.
Rono said Uasin Gishu County alone has 350 dams most of which were done during the colonial period.
He said Kenya needs a total of 22 billion cubic meters of water annually.
Currently, the Country has 11 million cubic meters.
He said 16% of the total water in the country is used for domestic use.
Rono added that Nairobi alone needs 160,000 cubic meters.
“As a Country, we need to have an integrated water management system. We need to learn to recycle water,” he said.
He added that during the upcoming conference, there will be no more talking and coming up with good research but action must be taken.
Rono said that the government is looking at partnering with the private sector to enhance provision of water in the Country.
He warned that there may be no water in future if water bodies are continuously destroyed.
“Let’s plant the right trees near water bodies. Let’s conserve our rivers because if we don’t, we will not be able to mitigate the effects of climate change,” he said.