- They allayed fears by residents that water would bypass them and be pumped to Nairobi and other areas and leave them grappling with water scarcity.
- They said currently, residents in most villages within the constituency including Kariua, Gathanji, Kairi, Gatukuyu, Igegania and Karuri are facing a water crisis.
Image: JOHN KAMAU
The perennial water scarcity in Gatundu North in Kiambu county will be a thing of the past following completion of the multibillion-shilling Kariminu II Dam.
The Sh24 billion dam that will be producing 70 million litres of water per day is set to address the water crisis experienced by over one million Kenyans living in Nairobi and Ruiru, Juja, Thika and Gatundu in Kiambu county.
Kiambu leaders led by Governor Kimani Wamatangi and Gatundu North MP Elijah Njoroge said they are in agreement with the dam project regulator, Athi Water Services Board that Gatundu North residents will be getting three million litres of clean water per day.
They allayed fears by residents that water would bypass them and be pumped to Nairobi and other areas and leave them grappling with water scarcity.
“We have held talks with AWSB and Ministry of Water officials and affirmed that the agreement we had when the project was starting several years ago is still there, that Gatundu residents will be supplied with adequate clean water for domestic use and even for farming,” Wamatangi said.
The two leaders spoke during the burial of the former African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa Archbishop Ichugu Wamwea at Igegania village on Monday.
They said currently, residents in most villages within the constituency including Kariua, Gathanji, Kairi, Gatukuyu, Igegania and Karuri are facing water crisis following closure of Kariminu River to allow water impoundment at the dam.
“Since the impoundment began in March this year, residents living downstream and who rely on the river for water, domestic use and irrigation were dealt a huge blow. The situation was exacerbated by the harsh climatic condition being experienced in the country,” Wamatangi said.
He added, “God news is that the suffering will end soon and residents will have an all-time flow of clean water in their homes.”
MP Njoroge said the water crisis situation had taken a toll on patients seeking health services at Igegania Level 4 Hospital and especially mothers who were delivering saying they were forced to carry their own water from home.
“This is how bad the situation has been but we thank God that the project is complete and pumping of water into our homes and facilities like the hospital is set to begin very soon,” Njoroge said.
Residents who spoke to journalists said the water crisis brought about by closure of Kariminu River and the hot weather has halted many activities in the region including farming.
“Besides our farming activities being ground to a halted by the shortage, we have been forced to buy the precious commodity at high prices. Vendors are selling a 20-litre jerrican at between Sh50 and Sh80 which is way too costly for us,” said Simon Gitau, a farmer.
The residents however said they are upbeat that their water woes will be a thing of the past and that they will be supplied with adequate water for domestic use and for farming.
-Edited by SKanyara