Murang'a: Residents to get more water connections

Impact on support from the national government in the water sector has been felt in Murang’a with increased connections.

The injection of more than Sh2.6 billion to support water programmes has helped to raise the county's access to clean water from 36 percent 60 percent.

Kahuti Water and Sanitation Company Managing Director Ephantus Kamau, said the support has assisted toward an increase of connections by 10,000 in lower Mugoiri and Murarandia wards.

 Kamau flanked by company chairperson Frasia Kamau said the national government injected Sh700 million for expansion of water intakes to boost production and treatment of the commodity.

He spoke when the company through corporate social responsibility connected the home of Susan Wanjiku in Murarandia village with piped water, after Karanja Mburu Wamatangi Foundation, built a house for her.

Wanjiku house was this year destroyed by a motor vehicle after its driver lost control and veered off the road.

“In the CSR programme, the company has connected several homes with piped water following the support by the national government,” he said.

Illegal water connections, he identified as the major challenge of denying the company revenue.

“ The company has partnered with the provincial administration to fight the menace that has blocked collection of revenue,” he said.

 Water and Irrigation Principal Secretary Joseph Wairagu said the government through Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA) has committed Sh10 billion, to fast track water development projects.

 The allocation was set aside to initiate programmes to compensate Murang’a  county for the abstraction of 140,000 metres of water to be channeled to Nairobi through Northern Water Collector Tunnel (NWCT).