The national government has set aside Sh1.4 billion to stop the flooding of boreholes at the Baricho Water Works.
Water Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki on Thursday launched three boreholes, which have been rehabilitated after they were destroyed by floods in 2018.
She said the aim of safeguarding the boreholes is to ensure that they are not destroyed by floods. This will ensure there is uninterrupted water services to Mombasa and Kilifi counties.
In 2018, there was a major disaster in the area following floods that destroyed boreholes and disrupted supply from the main pumping station.
Speaking after officially launching the reconstruction of three boreholes completed by the Coast Water Work Development Agency at a cost of Sh420 million, Kariuki said construction work for the project will start next month.
Kariuki said the project will also create job opportunities for the locals when works begin.
The CS said President Uhuru Kenyatta was keen on ensuring that the project is expanded to ensure water supply is smooth in the coast region.
She said the project was important because it is in the league of the mega projects being undertaken by the government.
"Through the project, we have expanded, drilled boreholes and got water which is 36,000 cubic metres from the three boreholes," she said.
Kariuki said water levels will increase as they will be able to pump 110,000 cubic metres daily to be supplied to the two counties once the project is completed.
She said the approach of the national government was to address water shortage across the country as an integrated plan.
The CS said they have been also investing in bigger projects like Baricho, and Rare Dam, which is under design and more other bigger ones.
"I urge residents that water is not available all the time due to the climate change so when it rains for two days, people must harvest water,"she said.
Kariuki said the ministry has developed water regulation in regards to harvesting and will discuss with the committee in Parliament.
Acting CWWDA CEO Martin Tsuma said Baricho produces half of the water consumed in the region.
He said Mzima Marere Tiwi and Baricho combined were able to produce 180,000 cubic metres per day, with Baricho alone delivering 110,000 cubic metres of water daily.
"We are in the process of installing the new pipeline from Baricho to Kakuyuni which will ensure water is fully utilised from Baricho," he said.
He thanked the national government for funding the project.
Kilifi Water executive Mwachitu Kiringi said the project will address the water challenges in the area which were worsened by floods in 2018.
Kiringi however called on the national government to come up with special tariffs for electricity to ensure water supply is enhanced fully to the grassroots.
"The big challenge has been electricity. Some people don't understand why Kenya Power is paid to provide electricity yet they also get water," he said.