The county government of Makueni has developed a water policy to address water scarcity caused by droughts, encroachment and degradation of catchment areas.
The majority of Makuenis's 987,000 people do not have clean water for domestic use.
The Makueni County Water Policy will help educate residents on water harvesting and storage techniques and the management of existing water infrastructure.
Water technology and innovation, investment planning and financing are also laid out in the plan.
The policy, yet to be introduced to the county assembly of Makueni was commissioned by US Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter.
McCarter praised the county for its prudent use of the limited resources to benefit the people.
During the launch of the policy in Wote, McCarter said that Makueni will be among eight counties to participate in the Prosper Africa initiative by the US government launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta early last week.
“We believe in devolution and a government that is close to its people, is most responsive and delivers what they deserve. One of the prosper initiative counties is Makueni,” he said.
The county government intends to increase access to water by distribution using earth dams, sand dams, farm ponds, water pans, road surface run-offs, and rock and roof catchment.
Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana said the policy is expected to contribute to enhancing food security, improving health standards and increasing household incomes.
“The policy enhances safety and creates learning time for our young girls who bear the burden of collecting water at home as well as raising levels of access to sanitation and hygiene facilities in our rural areas,” Kibwana said.
The document also proposes that vandals and those in illegal possession of water materials and property jailed for three years or pay a Sh500,000 fine.
