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Taita Taveta to get a share in Sh3.5bn water project

Only 55 per cent of people in Stawi’s nine target counties have access to safe drinking water

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by SOLOMON MUINGI

Counties14 September 2023 - 18:00
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In Summary


  • • The five-year project aims at increasing sustainability of water service delivery in both rural and urban areas.
  • • Other counties include Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, Wajir, Kitui and Makueni.
USAID Stawi Chief of Party Robert Kisyula share the Stawi project document with Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime during a meeting in Voi on September 12, 2023

Taita Taveta county is among nine counties set to benefit from a Sh3.5 billion water project.

The project is funded by USAID through the sustainable, transformational, access water interventions (Stawi) project.

Stawi Chief of Party Robert Kisyula said the water project is set to benefit residents in the arid and semi-arid lands in northern and southeastern counties.

Other counties include Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, Wajir, Kitui and Makueni.

He said it would be a catalyst for development by enhancing management, efficiency and equitable access to water for productive purposes in households and agriculture.

Kisyula said people in ASAL counties are highly vulnerable to hunger, which is occasioned by the effects of climate change.

He said only 55 per cent of the population has access to safe drinking water in Stawi’s nine target counties, with more than 1.6 million people experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity.

The five-year project aims at increasing sustainability of water service delivery in both rural and urban areas.

"Stawi is taking an integrated and inclusive water security approach, working across built and natural systems in both rural and urban areas," Kisyula said.

Speaking during a meeting in Voi on Wednesday, Kisyula said they are in the process of creating a blueprint that will prioritise meeting the water needs of grassroots populations.

"This initiative will build household resilience and create increased economic opportunities. We are targeting to increase access to water to residents in the selected counties," Kisyula said.

Kisyula said they are collaborating with the county government to implement the water projects in line with the County's Integrated Development Plans (CIDP).

The project, he said, will further strengthen the capacity of devolved units for learning and adaptation.

He, however, stressed on the need for improved governance of water resources and enhanced collaboration to improve water accessibility.

"Our objective is to improve governance of water resources and service, including support for policy and planning to strengthen service delivery, water resource management and shock response," Kisyula said.

Governor Andrew Mwadime said the investment is a huge boost to his quest for improved water supply in the county.

He said the project is key in improving water infrastructure, further lauding the USAID for choosing the region to benefit from the fund.

"This is a great initiative that will deepen investments in the development of water supply in urban areas, county institutions, as well as community-managed water systems across the county," he said.

Governor Mwadime is also the chairman for Water, Forestry, and Natural Resources Management committee at the Council of Governors.

He said the collaboration between his administration and USAID paves way for a brighter future for sustainable water solutions, economic growth, and improvement.

"Collaboration with development partners has highly contributed in planning and implementation of many development projects in our region. We are keen on building more collaborations," Mwadime said. 

The county boss also urged local communities to take the lead in building check dams to assist in soil and water conservation.

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