By Johnson Chengo
The National government is planning to sink more boreholes and water pans in Ganze Sub-county, Kilifi County as one of the long-time measures put in place to address the acute scarcity of water.
Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome said that the government plan is to ensure all citizens can access the commodity with ease to better their standard of living.
The CS was addressing residents of Bamba Ward at Rima Ra Pera dispensary after commissioning the 42-kilometre water pipeline from Bamba to Dege-Shirango that cost Ksh. 1 million.
“The National government through its various partners including the European Union, and Water Sector Trust Fund will continue working closely with the County government to make sure every citizen can access water with ease. As a government, we will keep pulling water resources to facilitate improved water quality, and water access at household levels, schools and health facilities. We have so far discussed a wide range of issues both short and long term,” said the CS.
The water pipeline project is set to benefit at least 11,000 residents of Bamba Ward.
Wahome was accompanied by Kilifi governor Gideon Mung’aro, Ganze Member of Parliament Kenneth Kazungu, Chief executive officer of water sector trust fund Willis Omni, and acting Kilifi County Commissioner Geoffrey Tanui among other Kilifi County officers.
The water shortage in Ganze Constituency has been occasional by 3 to 4 successive seasons of long drought spells.
She said that the sinking of boreholes and water pans will boost the water supply in the county.
The CS also said the main areas of focus are regions hit by the drought such as Ganze, Kaloleni, Magarini and some parts of Rabai Sub-County.
“In Kilifi, we have areas of Ganze, Magarini, Kaloleni and some parts of Rabai, these areas have experienced water challenges due to drought. The government in its agenda of addressing food insecurity has decided to use alternative ways of addressing this acute problem. The first way is to expand our piped water projects down to the community and also sink more boreholes and water pans,” said Wahome.
Kilifi depends on water supply from the Mzima Spring and Baricho water works. The supply has been inconsistent because of rationing and frequent power cuts due to non-payment of bills at the Baricho water station.
Mung’aro lauded the project and said his administration plan is to settle water problems in the county before 2027.
He said the county government has drilled more than 100 boreholes across the County.
“My main focus since I was campaigning for the Kilifi gubernatorial seat is to solve water problems and I’m even appealing to McMaster to help me in passing consecutive budgets that will focus on water solutions,” said Mung’aro.
The area MP said for decades residents are forced to walk more than 20 kilometres in search of water.
This, he said, has caused many families untold suffering and lauded the government for the project that he said will reprieve residents.
