This archive report was first published on 10 July 2020.
Laikipia County is set to benefit from Sh45 million water projects, courtesy of the government's efforts to increase water coverage in the country.
Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Chief Administrative Secretary Dr. Andrew Tuimur announced that the projects would include construction of water pans, high volume water tanks, and de-silting of existing dams, to be undertaken by the National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority (NWHSA) in the 2020/2021 financial year.
Speaking in Nanyuki town, Dr. Tuimur emphasized the importance of recharging water coverage, stating that his ministry aimed to raise it from the current 62% to 100% by the year 2030.
Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between NWHSA and the county government, noting that it would facilitate collaboration in the implementation of water projects.
Dr. Tuimur further explained that his ministry was seeking ways to recharge underground water by tapping rainwater in order to raise the water levels for wells and boreholes.
“A lot of rainwater drains to the ocean and ends up not being as useful as it would have been intended. That’s why we are keen on tapping as much rainwater in dams to enrich our underground sources of water,” Tuimur said.
Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi lauded the signing of the MOU, stating that it would assist his government and the authority work together in improving water harvesting and storage in the county.
He added that his administration would not approve construction of any new building without a clear water harvesting and storage plan.
“We have a subsisting order and legislation in Laikipia that all new building must have rainwater harvesting and storage mechanisms,” he said.
The Governor further emphasized the importance of residents continuing to improve their capacity to harvest and store water.
