The Mzima II water project in Taita Taveta will be commissioned in a fortnight, CAS Andrew Tuimur has said.
Tuimur told journalists in Voi on Tuesday that top officials from the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation will tour the projects to assess work progress.
“There have been little challenges with the project but it is now ready for implementation. Some works have commenced and water CS will be here in two week's time to officially launch the project,” Tuimur said.
He said the Sh42 billion project will address the perennial water shortage in Voi, Wundanyi, Taveta and Mwatate. The surplus will serve Mombasa.
The project will pump at least 105,000 cubic metres of water per day and is also expected to boost supply to Kilifi counties.
Tuimur said the new pipeline will run parallel to the Mzima Spring II pipeline then water will flow by gravity to the intended areas.
The CAS was accompanied by officials from Taita Taveta water and sewerage company (Tavevo), Coast Water Works Development Agency, National Irrigation Agency, and Water Sector Trust Fund among others.
Tuimur said the government targets to achieve 80 per cent water coverage by end of the year from the current 60 per cent. By 2030, the target is 100 per cent coverage to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
“We, therefore, have to put in place plans and strategies to ensure this is achieved. Water is a critical enabler of the Big 4 Agenda of the government and it should be treated so,” he said.
“The extent to which our food and energy security is assured depends on adequate availability of water. Our livelihoods are incomplete without it. Water defines the environment we live and operate in.”
The CAS said the government will implement multiple irrigation projects to boost food production in Taita Taveta.
“National Irrigation Agency is working on a Sh123 million irrigation project in Njoro area, Taveta constituency while Water Sector Trust Fund has implemented a Sh187 million water projects to over 11,000 underserved households in the region,” he said.
Further, he said that the Coast Works Development Agency is working on 25 new projects in the county for Sh330 million.
On Monday, Governor Granton Samboja commissioned the construction of Nyangoro Maktau water project.
The Sh90 million project is jointly funded by the European Union through Water Trust Fund and the county. The contractor has five months to deliver the project.
It is expected to serve more than 17,000 residents in dry areas of Maktau, Mwashoti and Godoma in Mwatate constituency.
(edited by o. owino)
