The government has completed Sh4 billion water project in Baricho in Kilifi county.
The project seeks to address perennial water problem in Kilifi and Mombasa counties.
It includes rehabilitation of three boreholes destroyed by floods in 2018 when Sabaki River burst its banks.
The construction cost the government Sh1.4 billion, including the Baricho wellfield protection project to protect the wells from future floods.
The Baricho-Kakuyuni high-volume water pipeline was done for Sh2 billion and is currently in use.
Water and Sanitation CS Zacharia Njeru toured the project on Thursday with Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi, Coast Water Works Development Agency officials.
They said the project is ready for commissioning by President William Ruto.
The pumping capacity at the water wells was 40 million litres of water per day.
“As a government, we are aware that this project will be of great help to Coast residents. We know there is water shortage and that’s why we want to set up a date for its official opening,” Njeru said.
He said the project will transform people's lives by providing water round the clock.
Njeru said the government is working on plans to install solar power panels at the site to reduce pumping costs.
"To address the high cost of electricity, which amounts to more than Sh60 million, I direct direct the Coast Water Works CEO to conduct feasibility studies in the next three months to come up with a solar power-driven pumping system," he said.
The CS urged residents residing in water catchment areas to vacate or face forceful eviction.
Njeru said human activities on water catchment areas have contributed to climate change effects.
“Nature demands its place and as we have seen recently, the water has displaced those who encroached on wetlands, riparian lands and water catchment areas," he said.
"Even if the government does not remove you, water will surely force you out and it can bring about damages, losses and even deaths . I want to call upon those in such areas to move out."
Mnyazi praised the national government for the project, adding that she will table a motion in parliament to ensure that the cost of water goes down for consumers.
“The water projects have been resolved after this project became complete and the Mawasco MD has just told me that there is no longer water rationing in Malindi as before,” she said.