Water

Residents of Mukaa Ward in Kilome Sub-county are witnessing a remarkable transformation following the rehabilitation and expansion of Kwa Kakui Earth Dam under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program.

The once silted and unreliable water source has been desilted and expanded by 8,000 cubic meters, with the spillway reinforced through stone pitching to enhance its durability. A solar-powered water treatment system, comprising a flocculation unit, sedimentation tanks, filtration, and chlorination, has been installed to ensure safe water for household use.

One of the key beneficiaries is Maiani Girls Secondary School, where students now enjoy reliable access to clean water for sanitation, drinking, and learning—significantly improving school hygiene and academic performance.

This project stands as a shining example of how Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr leadership is steering Makueni County toward climate resilience through smart, community-driven water investments

The long wait for reliable water is nearly over for residents of Nguumo, Makindu and Kikumbulyu North wards as the Athi-Tunguni water project enters its final stages of completion.

The Sh 68M project by the Government of Makueni County aims to draw and treat water from Athi River and supply it to the three wards.

During a routine inspection of ongoing works on Friday, Water Executive Committee Member Eng. John Kieti and his Infrastructure counterpart Eng. Peter Mumo confirmed the pipeline extension works are progressing well, with full completion expected by August 2025.

The Athi-Tunguni initiative is a flagship project under Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s Last Mile Water Connectivity Program, which aims to achieve universal water access by 2027.

Tanathi Water Works Development Agency will soon roll out Phase 3 of the Wote Augmentation Project aimed at improving water supply in the County.

The project will feature the solarization of the Makueni Boys School and Kamunyolo Community Water Schemes, solar equipping of Mwaani Borehole No. 4, laying of a 13.5 kilometre pipeline and the supply of two motorbikes and bulk water meters to Wote Water & Sanitation Company (WOWASCO.)

Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, on Wednesday, General Manager, Eng. Francis Siva said the new phase will also include drilling and equipping new boreholes at Makindu Town Community – Railways, St. Paul’s Kyaume Primary School, Makindu ABC Primary School and within the Mavivye and Kemuama communities.

The MD confirmed that the procurement process has been finalized and that construction works are expected to be completed within six months, with the launch of the Wote Water Project scheduled before mid-July.

The Governor, reiterated his administration’s strong commitment to supporting efforts to improve access to clean and reliable water for the people of Makueni. CECM, Water, Eng. John Kieti also attended the meeting.

After years of enduring severe water scarcity—trekking over 7 km to the nearest water point—residents of Mukaange location, Masongaleni Ward, finally have reason to smile.

Once forced to drink salty borehole water, and contaminated water from River Athi, the community now enjoys safe, purified water thanks to a reverse osmosis plant that removes salinity and impurities.

Muliluni-Kiambani Water and Livelihood Enhancement project, implemented under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) program, has: eliminated long treks for water, reduced crocodile attacks along River Athi, revived honey production through a 50-hive apiary project at Muliluni community forest. A Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) has also enhanced restoration of the community forest.

This project highlights Makueni County’s and Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr commitment to building climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

There is renewed hope for the restoration of Nolturesh water supply to consumers, particularly residents of Makueni in areas such as Emali and Kilome along the pipeline corridor.

This follows a multi-stakeholder consultative forum held in Nairobi on Wednesday, chaired by Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) Acting Chief Executive Officer Richard Cheruiyot. The meeting resolved to explore swift rehabilitation of the main pipeline to resume water distribution.

Key proposed interventions include:

• Metering all connections along the pipeline to curb wastage, particularly where consumers pay a flat rate of Sh5,000 but engage in flood irrigation.

• Cracking down on cartels operating illegal connections.

• Licensing Nolturesh Water Company as a bulk water service provider to integrate additional water resources into its distribution system.

• Deploying the Critical Infrastructure Police Unit to safeguard the main pipeline and prevent unauthorized access.

The meeting brought together representatives from Nolturesh, Tanathi Water Services Authority, water chief officers from Kajiado, Machakos, and Makueni counties, with Makueni represented by David Makau.

Makau urged for the implementation of a rehabilitation assessment survey proposed by Konza Technopolis, a major water consumer. The survey recommends adopting smart technology to improve efficiency.

A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for June 19, where the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) will analyze the survey report and discuss its implementation strategy.

“Since 2023, we made a firm commitment that every new water project in Makueni will be powered by solar energy,”- Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.

“Our shift to solar has been transformative in that where diesel generators and grid electricity often failed, leaving water projects as phantoms, we’re now pumping water efficiently across distances of up to 20 km at minimal costs. Mwaani borehole solar project in Wote, installed in 2024, has reduced operational costs by nearly 30 percent,” says Governor Mutula.

PICTURED: Mwaani borehole solar system and Kaiti 2 sand dam solar power system.