By Sefu Sabila
Worth Noting:
- The 10,000 litres capacity tank will benefit the locals who have never had access to clean piped water. The governor assured residents of plans by his team to ensure all the households in the five sub counties have access to clean water.
- Tuwan ward, with the largest number of slums including Mitume,Mau Mau, Miti Moja and Machinjoni are among the wards with dire need of water. The area Member of County Assembly Hon. Obingo Were during the revamping of the ward and the newly constructed market in the ward at Mitume, reconstructed the Mrefu water point, including cleanliness and reconstruction of the pipes and provision of water purification agents.
Among his agenda for the people of Trans Nzoia County was ensuring access to clean water and environment protection. According to the county governor George Natembeya, water coverage in the county has increased from previously 47% to 75% in 2023.
Speaking during the launch of a borehole project in Kwanza Constituency in Kwanza sub- county, the county boss said the project is aimed at increasing water supply to the local residents. The Kshs 3.2 million project at the Namanjalala Trading Centre in Kapomboi Ward is part of the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) for the year 2022/2023. The county has sunk 20 boreholes across the county.
“We have sunk and equipped 20boreholes across the county. We plan to sink two more boreholes per ward during our next financial year 2023/2024. It’s my assurance that more households will be connected with clean water.” Stated the Governor.
The 10,000 litres capacity tank will benefit the locals who have never had access to clean piped water. The governor assured residents of plans by his team to ensure all the households in the five sub counties have access to clean water.
Tuwan ward, with the largest number of slums including Mitume,Mau Mau, Miti Moja and Machinjoni are among the wards with dire need of water. The area Member of County Assembly Hon. Obingo Were during the revamping of the ward and the newly constructed market in the ward at Mitume, reconstructed the Mrefu water point, including cleanliness and reconstruction of the pipes and provision of water purification agents.
However, calls have been made by residents of Wawa majorly occupied by students from the Kitale National Polytechnic and residents of Site and Service for county to control the dumping of waste near the water point. According to the residents the undirected and unprotected dumping of the towns waste is a threat to the water point that serves residents from both Tuwan and Matisi Wards.
“There has been improvement of water supply in the county, but this water point here is very crucial for the people of Kipsongo and Machinjoni Slaughter house. The jam had reduced because we don’t witness the long days without water like before, but that does not mean this place is neglected as we still depend on this water. But the waste damping is scaring and it’s even spreading as far as the county slaughter house. This is a direct stare to waterborne and dirt diseases like cholera and typhoid.” A resident lamented.
“We urge governor to fence the damping site and also repair the footbridge which carries sewer water from Kitale town. It’s encroaching and spreading to where we fetch water. This is hazardous. “He added.
Earlier the former CEC water and environment Patrick Gacheru has stated that the county intents to rehabilitate the faulty sewer lines and draining sewerage system, including moving the town’s garbage collection centers. The current damping site opposite the county slaughter house and the Tongolo water point is not restricted.
“This place is between two wards; however, neither of the MCAs has shown interest in improving the state of the water point. The situation becomes even worse during rainy seasons as the wastes are carried and moved close to the pipes, the footbridge overflows water moving close to where women and children are washing and fetching water. Even as the governor is planning on increasing water points, we hope this one will be worked on, improved and proper mechanism for maintenance set before getting a new one.” He added.
With fast growing population of Kitale town, main water supplier Nzoia Water and Sewerage Company (NZOWASCO) had said the two water treatment points at Bidii Ward and Machinjoni Area had not been extended to meet the rapidly growing population.
Mt Kenya Times