Perennial water problems in Gatundu South subcounty will be a thing of the past once the government completes a multi-billion-shilling water project in the area.
The Gatundu Water Supply and Sewerage Project is expected to connect over 90,000 Gatundu residents in Kiambu county to clean sufficient water. This is according to the Water Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki.
The project, which is being implemented by Athi Water Works Development Agency, through the Kenya Towns Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Programme, is funded by the government and the African Development Bank to a tune of Sh1.75 billion.
Kariuki, who inspected the progress of the project implementation on Tuesday, said the aim is to increase access to water supply in Gatundu South constituency.
The CS noted that the project involves rehabilitation of Handege water supply to produce 9.6 million litres of water per day and construction of Ruabora and Ngenda water supply each producing 4 million litres, and laying of raw and treated water main pipes.
“This is one of the most impactful projects we are implementing in the country. It will bring an end to the perennial water shortage in Gatundu and ensure that residents have ample water for domestic use,” Kariuki said.
The CS, who was accompanied by various officials, noted that the mega project also entails sanitation improvement through the construction of waste water disposal systems in Gatundu town
She averred that the project will see some 2,000 Gatundu residents connected to a sewer noting that 58 km of both trunk and secondary sewers will be laid.
“So far 12km of reticulation sewers have been laid and 153 manholes completed. The project is expected to serve residents of Gatundu Town, Ruabora, Mutomo, Kenyatta Road, Kiganjo, Handege and Ngenda.”
Kariuki also inspected the Mau Mau road water distribution pipeline relocation works where she noted that AWWDA has so far replaced 282km of water distribution pipelines, which were damaged by the contractors implementing the multi-billion road that will connect Kiambu, Murang’a and Nyeri counties.
She noted that the relocation works have cost Sh470 million and another Sh390 million will be required to complete the remaining 190km of water distribution network to restore water supply in Gatundu area.
She said Water ministry officials will work jointly with their counterparts from the Roads and Infrastructure to ensure that the two projects are implemented in tandem without hitches.
The CS, however, said that delays in land acquisition have been the major setback facing the water supply project and may be an impediment to its completion as per the schedule.
“The National Lands Commission has been given the requisite resources to solve the problem and we have instructed them to fast track the land acquisition process so that the project can be completed on time," Kariuki said.
Kariuki noted that other ongoing projects in the area include drilling and equipping of 15 boreholes bringing an additional two million litres of water per day to serve approximately 35,000 residents of Wamuguthuko, Wamwangi, Kiriko, Gakui, Gitwe and Karatu.
Some of the locals who spoke during the Kariuki's visit heaped praise on the government for bringing vital life-changing developments closer to them.
“We couldn’t have asked for more from the government other than good roads, ample water and electricity. Most of us are farmers and we expect to reap big from our farming now that we have the crucial developments,” Philip Njagi, a Mundoro resident, said.
