The Kwale government is constructing a Sh159 million water project in an effort to end perennial water scarcity in the region.
The World Bank-funded project is being done under the Kenya Devolution Support Program and will be constructed in Mwangoni, Puma, in Kinango subcounty.
Once complete, it will serve 12,900 people, mainly from Nyalani-Mwangoni and Banga villages.
The community contributed land for the project launched on Wednesday by Governor Fatuma Achani.
The project is scheduled to be completed within eight months.
Achani said the water project is part of the county's efforts to ensure residents have access to clean drinking water.
"We are determined to escalate the construction of water projects for residents to get safe and affordable clean water," she said.
Achani said the Nyalani-Mwangoni-Bang'a water project will provide water for irrigation and livestock.
Achani warned the water project contractor against doing shoddy work.
She vowed to terminate the contract and have the contractor blacklisted from all county tenders if he doesn't meet the required expectations.
The county chief urged residents to help the county supervise the contractor.
Kinango is one of the areas in Kwale affected by drought and residents have been depending on boreholes, earth dams and dams for survival.
According to the National Drought Management Authority, some water sources have started to dry up.
An estimated 180,000 people in the county are in dire need of food and water since crops failed due to the drought.
Achani said her administration will continue to work with relevant stakeholders to provide water for residents.
The county depends on Mzima and Marere water but the supply has been poor because of various challenges.
Residents in some areas can go for almost a month without water.
Achani said they want to have as many boreholes and dams to supplement the water supply in the county.
She said devolution has helped Kwale make great strides in tackling drought.
"We have done great because for quite some time we have not been appearing on the list of those in need of relief food," she said.
The governor said interventions to have food distributed to the few affected residents are underway.
She said the county is working closely with the national government to have the food distributed by next week.
Achani said proper mechanisms are in place to ensure only the targeted people will benefit from the food.
Previously, residents accused some local administration officers of stealing relief food.
The governor also put on notice lazy county health workers, saying long queues have been witnessed in public health facilities yet staff are sitting idle.
She said her administration is determined to improve the health services but there are few indisciplined staff.
Achani said she has received reports that some health workers take unnecessary leave days and steal medicine, while others are rude to patients.
The governor said the county always procures enough medicine on time to benefit citizens but it’s shocking when people complain health facilities have no medicine.
She warned that stern action would be taken against the perpetrators.
She said no mother will trek long distances in search of maternal services because her administration is striving to have services closer to the people.
Edited by A.N