The Sh300 million Ruiru-Juja-Githurai water supply project will cover over 50,000 residents in the expansive Mwihoko ward in Ruiru.
Mwihoko had been left out of the project supply area until MP Simon King’ara, who is also a member of the Parliamentary Water Committee, intervened. The MP included Mwihoko A and B in the project.
The project will inject an additional 13 million litres of water per day. Once complete, it will distribute clean water to Kahawa Wendani, Kahawa Sukari, Kiuu and Mwiki.
The project by Ruiru Juja Water and Sewerage Company comprises of laying 168km of water distribution networks in Githurai's Kiuu, Mwiki and Kahawa Wendani.
It will also drill 10 boreholes and lay a further 14km of water transmission pipelines.
MP Simon King’ara while addressing Mwihoko residents on Sunday said perennial water shortages will be a thing of the past once the project is complete.
He said the water service provider is overstretched by the high water demand. This is due to the ever growing population and hence the reason for regular water rationing.
“Water shortage in this area has been a thorn in the flesh for residents for many years. However we acknowledge the interventions that the government has made to enhance access,” King’ara said.
He said residents have been living at the mercies of vendors who take advantage of the current water crisis. They sell a 20-litre jerry can of water for between Sh25 and Sh30.
The MP told residents that their water woes will come to an end once the multi-billion Kariminu II Dam in Gatundu North is complete.
The Sh24 billion project is being funded by the Government of Kenya and the China Exim Bank.
It is being implemented through a joint venture between International Holding Corporation and Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute.
The dam will have a height of 59 meters with a 26.5 million cubic meters storage volume. It will produce 70,000 cubic meters of drinking water per day.
About 80 per cent of the water will go to Thika, Juja and Ruiru, the remaining 20 per cent will go to Nairobi county.
“This means that Ruiru residents will have an all time flow of sufficient clean water in their taps,” King’ara said.
Residents who spoke during the meeting hailed the government for including Mwihoko into the project saying that they have suffered for decades without ample clean water.
“Our prayers have finally been answered and we are grateful that we will soon get enough water in our homes,” a resident, Amos Ndung’u said.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
