Drought bites Mwea residents as they struggle for clean drinking water

A community borehole in Rurumi village, Mwea sub county in Kirinyaga county that is overwhelmed by the demand for the commodity from residents, forcing many to drink water from irrigation canals/ ALICE WAITHERA

Mwea residents are bearing the brunt of a worsening drought as major rivers dry up, leaving them without reliable water source.

 Many homesteads face acute water shortages.

 This is affecting agricultural activities and overall health, with families struggling to access clean water for drinking and domestic use.

 In their search for safe drinking water, residents of Rùrùmi Block village in Thiba Ward, one of the areas hardest hit by scarcity, have for long tried to water connected to their homes. They cite prolonged government neglect.

 John Karuri, a resident, said the area has lagged behind in development, particularly in access to clean water. This has forced many families to rely on contaminated water from irrigation canals in the rice fields, posing health risks.

 “Some people fetch water from canals that are used for irrigation and consume it without boiling. This has seen many fall sick,” he said.

 Karuri said the village has a communal borehole, which is overwhelmed due to overuse by residents who have no alternative source.

 “If we could just get another borehole fitted with an overhead tank so that the water can be channelled through gravity to homes, we would be reprieved,” he added.

 Patrick Kariuki, a boda boda rider, echoed similar sentiments. He said many residents are compelled to consume contaminated water, which frequently makes them ill.

 He said this places additional financial pressure on the already struggling villagers, who despite paying taxes are not getting the much-needed clean and reliable water services by the government.

 Kariuki said their hopes were dashed when the Rurumi water project, started about a decade ago and expected to ease shortages, stalled in 2019.

 Efforts to revive the project proved futile, leaving the community in desperation and uncertainty.

 However, residents received a boost after Kenya Seeds Company chairperson Wangui Ngirici pledged to help complete the stalled project and donated 300 water pipes to facilitate last-mile connections.

 Ngirici said the support would reduce the long treks residents make in search of water,  save time and help curb the spread of waterborne diseases.

 She said recurring droughts have left residents increasingly vulnerable to water shortages, particularly when permanent rivers such as Nyamindi dry up.

 “We need to understand that climate change is happening and focus more on conserving water during the rainy seasons to reduce the strain on water sources during dry periods,” she said.

 Ngirici challenged the government to develop long-term solutions, including constructing another dam along River Nyamindi, to ensure Mwea residents have a consistent and reliable supply of clean water.

 Last year, the Kirinyaga county government allocated Sh100 million for the expansion of a bulk water project expected to serve 30,000 households in Mwea subcounty.

 The funding covers Phase One of the extension of the Kutus–Kimbimbi bulk water main pipeline and feeder lines to supply domestic water to residents of Gathigiriri, Tebere and Thiba wards.

 Governor Anne Waiguru said Mwea has lagged behind in water coverage for both domestic and irrigation use. However, she expressed confidence that the ongoing investment would significantly improve access and ease the burden on residents.