This archive report was first published on 17 November 2021.
Published on November 17, 2021, a Sh500 million emergency water project is underway in Nakuru County to supply an additional 30,000 cubic meters of water per day to densely populated and low-income areas.
The project, implemented by the national government through Athi Water Works Development Agency, aims to benefit over 100,000 households in Nakuru County. The project targets areas such as Naivasha's Kihoto slums, Karati-Delamere, and Wei-Maseno dispensary in Subukia Constituency.
Athi Water Works Development Agency CEO Michael Thuita said the project is currently 55 per cent complete and will be completed in less than three months. The project will see a total of 50 boreholes sunk in the larger Nakuru region.
“We are planning to complete this program in less than three months. As we all know, water is an important commodity in human life and the impact is going to be huge as we are going to reduce the time lost by the community in fetching water,” said Thuita.
According to data from Nakuru Urban Water and Sanitation Company, NAWASCO, the current supply stands at 40,000 cubic meters per day, which falls short of the estimated 70,000 cubic meters per day demand. The town's status is about to be elevated, making partnerships among utilities and other government agencies crucial to avoid rampant rationing.
NAWASSCO managing director James Ng'ang'a said the increase in water available means they will be supplying close to 95% of the city's population with water. In Naivasha Sub-County, one of the targeted areas is Kihoto slums, a low-income area with a population of about 20,000 inhabitants.
The area has been faced with water and sanitation challenges that have affected their day-to-day activity and threatened the lives of some of its residents. Kihoto location sub-chief Philip Mariri called on both National and County governments to expedite the mitigation measures.
