The commissioning of Maragua bulk water project on Thursday will see more than 18,000 households in Murang’a South subcounty connected to piped water.
The Sh1 billion dam will supply 11, 000 residents with clean water for domestic use and another 7, 000 persons for irrigation.
President William Ruto while commissioning the project said the government will inject Sh180 million to facilitate last mile water connections to homestead.
He said the dam constructed at the confluence of rivers Irati and Maragua can supply 15, 000 cubic meters of water daily.
The reservoir with a capacity of 800, 000 cubic meters will be managed by Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company.
He directed Water Cabinet Secretary Zacharia Njeru to immediately hand over the Maragua bulk water project to Murang’a county government and Muwasco.
His announcement brought to an end wrangles between Muwasco and Murang’a South Water and Sanitation Company (Muswasco) on who should manage the dam that was completed during the last days of the last regime.
The President asked the local county administration led by Governor Irungu Kang’ata to ensure the dam is well utilised for the benefit of the Maragua people.
With the launch of the dam, locals expressed hopes the water challenges they have experienced will be mitigated.
Areas that will benefit from the bulk water project fall under semi-arid parts of the county.
Muwasco is among four water firms in Murang'a that have transferred their ownership to the county administration.
On the other hand, Muswasco, which according to the Water Services Regulatory Board is supposed to supply water to Maragua and other two neighbouring subcounties of Kigumo and Kandara, opted to remain under the national government.
Governor Kang’ata said Muwasco had already started supplying water to parts of Murang’a South despite opposition from Muswasco.
He said the move by Muwasco to give residents of Kambiti, Marajau among other neighbouring villages water despite going against Wasreb boundary issues was humanitarian.
“The county government with Muwasco will manage the Maragua water project and I commit to ensure there will be 100 percent connections,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, President while touring the affordable housing programme at Makeji in Kandara said the opposition will not sway his development agenda as he was focused on empowering Kenyans through water, housing, roads and health programmes.
He stated that at Makeji 220 housing units were being constructed as his administration was looking for solutions to challenges facing the country.
Murang'a county requires more than 11,000 house units whose construction will employ over 22,000 youths.
Murang'a leaders who accompanied the President hailed the affordable housing programme at Makeji describing it as a game changer. The county government is constructing Kenneth Matiba Level 5 Hospital.