Governor Granton Samboja on Wednesday signed a shs 70 million deal with the European Union for water projects in the County.
The EU through the Water Trust Fund will provide the money to improve Water and Sanitation Development Projects in the County.
The Ceremony took place at a Nairobi Hotel.
The EU was represented by Ms Myra Bernardi, EU delegation representative to Kenya.
“This funding would not have come at a better time than now; with the onset of the long rains, my County is still faced with the threat of flash floods that have in the past caused a lot of destruction to crops and livestock,” he said.
Samboja added that it is not only the floods that have been a source of pain for the people of Taita but drought has in the past left thousands of families without water and food.
“This funding, aimed at mitigating drought emergencies is a welcome move,” said the Governor.
The Water Sector Trust Fund has an impressive standing history of financing projects and providing valuable support in achieving the human rights to clean safe water and reliable sanitation services.
According to the county executive member for water and sanitation Gasper Kabaka, today’s EU funding project will benefit residents of Taita Taveta with a particular focus on those living in Mwakitau.
For a very long time, Mwakitau residents have lacked better access to water and sanitation services due to inadequate and old water and sanitation infrastructure.
“As we all know, efficient water and sanitation services are fundamental to human development and key to achieving the government development agenda and the Kenya Vision 2030. When people have better access to water and sanitation, they are healthier and they can also work more productively, live more fully and contribute more to society.” Kabaka said.
He said that as a Participating County Government and implementing agency of the project, the county government of Taita Taveta has expressed its commitment to ensure that the project funds will be utilized in an accountable manner.
Kabaka added that by focusing on water supply and sanitation improvement, the County government expects to have a healthy society, generate employment, and achieve economic diversity and consequently more sustainable economic growth and better lives for its people.