Perennial water shortage in Njoro will be a thing of past after area MP Charity Kathambi embarked on addressing the same.
The Lawmaker has lobbied for funds from national government to boost water projects in Njoro.
While decrying the perennial water shortage as a challenge,Kathambi was optimistic that with the various water projects already initiated, residents have a reason to smile.
Njoro MP Charity Kathambi gives water to a resident.PHOTO/Courtesy.
The move has seen various community tanks drilled in the area.
This,she said will help women in the area who had to travel longer distance in search of the commodity for domestic use.
“Njoro has had challenges when it comes to water supply. I took the initiative to lobby from national goverment so that we can have water points so that our mothers and children can have water for domestic use” she said.
Besides drilling community boreholes,the first time vocal Nakuru female Legislator said they are also targeting schools.
She added that her dream is to see water tanks in every school in the area.
School children get water in Njoro.PHOTO/Courtesy.
“Our children in schools must get water and that is why we are doing the tanks and supplying water” she said.
Kathambi maintains that her joy is to see Njoro transformed through various projects from education to infrastructure and environment.
Nakuru Rural Water and Sanitation Company Limited has sounded a stern warning to individuals engaging in vandalizing the company’s utilities as well as illegal connections.
NARUWASCO Managing Director Reuben Korir addressing media at the Company grounds in Nakuru.PHOTO/Pristone Mambili.
Managing Director Reuben Korir said vandalism and illegal water connections have remained a challenge to the company in their push to ensure better service delivery to the residents.
He was speaking at the Company grounds in Nakuru on Tuesday during a public participation meeting to get views on the application made to the Water Services Regulatory Board(WASREB) concerning renewal of license.
Korir stated that the company will be working with other agencies to enforce the laid down regulations so that those engaging in such face tough penalties.
“There are also challenges around vandalism and illegal connections. However, as a company we are working with other government agencies to enhance enforcement with penalties. We also take this time to warn those engaging in such that their days are numbered” said NARUWASCO MD.
While citing the importance of water services, Korir called for the need to have increased budget allocation on the sector.
According to him, this is the only way to ensure better service delivery as well as achieve the Sustainable Development Goals on access to water.
“There is a need for more budgetary allocation to water. This will help us achieve the SDGs on access to water” he said.
During the public participation meeting, consumers unanimously agreed that the NARUWASC’s licenses be renewed by WASREB.
The move was welcomed by NARUWASCO MD who committed to ensure better service delivery for the next five years.
NARUWASCO operates in five distinct regions in Nakuru County which are Eastern(Gilgil, Turasha, Kikopey, Langalanga),Northern(Bahati,Kabatini,Ndungiri,Subukia), Central(Njoro,Kiamunyi,,Lanet-Mbaruk), Western(Salgaa,Sobea,Sachangwan,Rongai,Kampi Ya Moto), Southern(Molo,Kibunjia,Elburgon).
WASREB CEO Engineer Robert Gakubia oh his part stated that as a Board they will continue to ensure consumer protection as per the constitution and Water Act.
He however was quick to urge consumers to also play their role by paying their bills on time to avert inconveniences.
“We cannot issue licenses without getting the views of the people through public participation and that is why we are here today” he stated.
According to the water services regulator, the Illegal water connections has continued to cause water loss in the country with Naruwasco loss being at 58% which is far above the less than 20% WASREB’s standard.
The Body revealed that in Kenya generally water lost is worth 80 Billion shillings per year.
Nakuru County Chief Officer Environment Kiogora Muriithi on his part reiterated the County Government’s commitment towards water service provision.
“As a county government, we will continue to work with the water supply companies to ensure services to the people” said Kiogora.
He revealed that Governor Lee Kinyanjui will be signing into Law crucial Bills touching on the sector and that will improve service delivery.
They are;Nakuru county climate change Bill, Nakuru Water and sanitation Bill, and Nakuru Waste and management Bill.
Sentiments echoed by Maella MCA Gathariki Kamanu who is also the Chair water, Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Committee at the county assembly of Nakuru.
“We need to ensure the laws in place are adhered to for better service delivery. We have a lot of resources but we are not taking good care of them. We invest massively in projects but management of the projects becomes a challenge with much vandalism of water projects” he said.
Residents of Karuswa in Dundori Ward of Nakuru County will now have water supply thanks to Menengai Community Water Project.
The locals majority of who leave on the upper end of Kirima Village have not been able to access the services since 1965.
The pump site.PHOTO/Pristone Mambili.
Menengai Community Borehole Project Chairman Francis Thimba says a Borehole was sunk in 2002 but lacked better facilities to pump water up end.
He is however quick to note that the 7.5 force power pump that has been installed will enable the residents to get water.
“We now have high power pump installed to enable locals get water” said Thimba.
Similar sentiments echoed by residents of Kirima who have been lacking water services since 1965 and had to walk longer distances.
They say with the water now available they will even be able to save man power that they have been using to fetch water longer distances.
“We are very grateful for this project. We have been walking longer distances as mothers to fetch water but now with this project we are now relieved” said Ms Wangui.
The Project initiated by area MCA Michael Machembu will see over 500 families benefit from water supply.
Machembu reveals that the Kirima village in Dundori has been facing challenges with locals depending on water from a perennial river.
“The upper end has not been receiving water due to lack of proper machines to pump but with the installation of this powerful pump, the challenge will be a thing of past” said Machembu.
Other water projects in the area that have been initiated include Tabuga water project, Wanyororo Water project,and Bavuni-Mugwadhi Water Project as well as Mathare-Kirima Water Project.
The MCA while noting that water is essential during this covid-19 pandemic said he has been able to sink 3 new boreholes and rehabilitated other three in Dundori ward.
