A Sh4 million partnership between Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company and an NGO is set to provide over 30,000 residents of Murang’a town and its environs with clean drinking water.
The firm has partnered with Can Do Kids, an American NGO, to establish a 300,000 litre reservoir that will help boost water supply to Kimathi and Githuri areas in Murang’a East subcounty.
The tank that is being established at Kabuta area that has the highest altitude to help in distribution of water, will be completed in the next two months much to the joy of residents who have been facing acute rationing, forcing them to trek long distances to fetch water from rivers.
Peter Mwangi, a resident, said they cannot wait to have a consistent supply of water and save women and children from the back breaking work of fetching the commodity.
“This area has had water shortages because the water we have been receiving did not have enough pressure,” he said.
He said the time used in search of the commodity will now be used to engage economically productive activities and empower themselves.
Mwangi lauded the partnership saying it will better their lives while improving the learning environment of the children in public schools.
“Availability of water will foster development in the area while doing away with water-borne illnesses brought about by consumption of unclean water,” he added.
Oscar Muiruri, another resident, said residents approached the two partners to consider constructing a tank in the area to boost supply in the area after years of suffering.
“We are thankful for the prospect of a sufficient supply of water. Our youths will also get jobs for the two months that the tank will be under construction and we will be relieved from the burden of fetching from rivers,” Muiruri said.
Can Do Kid NGO representative George Gathuru said the organisation plans to construct 10 communal tanks and has managed to establish three in partnership with Muwasco.
This is besides the 70 tanks with the capacity to hold 250,000 litres of water that the firm has constructed in public primary schools in Kiharu constituency.
“When we partnered with Muwasco, we realised the main challenge hindering residents of lower areas of the constituency from accessing water is lack of reservoirs,” he said.
Such tanks, he said, help Muwasco to expand water connectivity and save residents from perennial shortages that are used by politicians to campaign during elections.
He said most of the people living in low areas have trenches where run-off water collects during rains and they are forced to use it during drought.
Muwasco officer in charge of communication Jacob Mbuthia said the tank will have enough water to serve eight schools, the community and several private companies.
“Many people working in Murang’a town are relocating to Kabuta area to evade congestion. The steady supply of water will encourage more people to move to the area and boost its economy.
The tank will cost Sh.2.5 million while its pipeline will cost about Sh2 million for the water to be connected to homes.
Schools such as Kabuta primary, Kangatia primary, Bishop Perlo academy, Murang’a Girls secondary and Matongu primary, three chiefs camp and three police posts and will benefit from the project.
A similar tank being established at Karechiungu area is completed and is serving over 27,000 resident while another one is ongoing at Muchungucha village.
-Edited by SKanyara
