Water

MAKUENI LEVERAGES ON TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND GOVERNANCE

Makueni County has since the advent of devolution struggled to meet the water demand of her more than one million residents. While there are so many water projects developed to meet the current daily demand of 60,000 cubic meters, some remain nonfunctional and others performing below capacity due to governance shortfalls.

To improve management of water assets for sustainable supply of water to residents, Makueni County has adopted a transformative Water Management Information System (MIS), which tracks the developed infrastructure, functionality, coverage and management challenges where applicable.

The system is co-created in partnership with USAID-STAWI and is intended for use by different stakeholders in the water sector for reporting on water assets management as well as report issues affecting water distribution systems to reduce governance-orchestrated water scarcity.

This digital system also enables informed decision-making and preventing duplication of efforts by water investors. With a centralized platform, stakeholders will collaborate efficiently, ensuring investments align with the county’s overall water agenda.

On Monday, water officers in the county were inducted on the use of the digital system in a forum graced by Water Executive Committee Member John Kieti, Chief Officer David Makau and USAID-STAWI South Eastern Coordinator Alois Muthini in Wote.

MAKUENI SIGNS PARTNERSHIP WITH CHILDFUND TO IMPROVE WELFARE OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN

Makueni has signed a working partnership with ChildFund and Emali Dedicated Children’s Agency (EDCA) to improve the welfare of vulnerable children in the county.

Under this five-year agreement, Makueni and the two Non-governmental institutions will fundraise to among others implement Water, Sanitation and Hygiene projects in schools and the community; support young people in vocational training; develop child friendly early childhood development centres as well as create safe spaces in the community where vulnerable children are protected and nurtured.

The overall goal, according to the MoU, is to connect children living in extreme poverty to resources, people and institutions they need to grow up healthy, educated, skilled and safe.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and EDCA Chief Executive Officer Victor Aduda signed the partnership Tuesday morning.

GOVERNOR MUTULA DIRECTS WSPS TO INVEST IN TECHNOLOGY TO END NON REVENUE WATER

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has called on Water Service Providers in Makueni to invest in technology to curb the menace of unaccounted water, leading to huge losses and low water supply capacity.

Speaking during a meeting with newly installed Boards of Directors for three WSPs in Kilome, Governor Mutula said the county government will invest in technology such as smart meters, bulk water meters, high-density polyethylene pipes and leakage detectors to reduce non revenue water.

KIBWASCO, one of the leading water supplies company in Kibwezi region has often recorded non revenue water of 63 percent, causing avoidable water shortages in the area.

REHABILITATION OF THREE WATER SOURCES SET TO ALLEVIATE WATER WOES IN WOTE TOWN.

Residents of Wote town are looking up to taps running 24/7 with clean, reliable and sufficient water at low cost.

The county government with support of one of her development partners, USAID, has embarked on rehabilitation of three water sources around Wote, aiming to increase daily supply capacity from 2,500 cubic meters to meet the current demand of 4,500 cubic meters.

Through Sustainable, Transformational and Accessible WASH Interventions (STAWI) Programme, the county government and USAID on Wednesday handed to contractors sites for solar power installation, piping and distribution of Kaiti 2 sand dam water project; installation of solar power for Mwaani borehole. At Kamunyolo dam, a 300 cubic meters sump will be constructed to increase the treatment capacity.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr who hosted a delegation of STAWI officials earlier said it is regrettable that Wote town still struggles with water challenges, 32 years after it was inaugurated as Makueni District headquarters. He said his administration will ensure the county capital becomes an investment hub with all necessary amenities, including sufficient water supply.

NGUUMO RESIDENTS ENDORSE KYANDULU-NDOVOINI WATER PROJECT.

Residents of Nguumo Ward have unanimously endorsed implementation of Kyandulu-Itangini-Kibarani-Ndovoini water project, funded under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme.

The project is among 13 across the county identified by wananchi through a Participatory Climate Risk Assessment for climate change resilience building.

In a public participation forum held at Kiundwani Chief’s camp, the residents denounced suggestions by some local leaders to distribute water from Kyandulu borehole in one subward, saying it would disadvantage their neighbours.

The Sh 10M project is set to distribute water to more than 6,000 residents in the Last Mile Water Connectivity progamme, geared towards bridging the 30,000 cubic meters water supply gap per day in the county.

RELIEF FOR NGUUMO RESIDENTS AS COUNTY GOVERNMENT, WHH COMMISSION KWA KAWAWA WATER PROJECT.

It is a sweet relief to over 5,000 residents of Nguumo ward who will nolonger trek 7 km to Makindu town to get water, following commissioning of Kwa Kawawa Water Projet.

The project, whose source is a borehole drilled by the county government and distributed by Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH) for 25Km covers 16 villages in the formerly water stressed area. The distribution system is fitted with solar power to reduce operational costs while ensuring sustainability.

10 water access points have been installed along the 25Km pipeline at Kwa Mailu, Kwa Kimeu, Mlaleo, Kikauni, Wayona, Kilema, Vumbute, Makutano, Mulangi, and Mutantheu. Kilema, Kilongoni and Wayona primary schools have also been connected.

The project was commissioned on Wednesday by Executive Committee Members Japheth Mang’oka (Devolution), John Kieti (Water) and Sebastian Kyoni (Roads) together with officers from WHH.

SIX VILLAGES IN KIU/KALANZONI WARD GET CLEAN WATER

Over 3,000 residents of Ngaamba area in Kiu/Kalanzoni Ward now have access to clean water at their doorsteps thanks to a working partnership between Government of Makueni County and Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH).

WHH partnered with the community to install solar power, 100,000-litre masonry tank, six smart-meter water kiosks, and an 11km distribution line for Kwa Mwina borehole, targeting six villages and three schools in the ward.

WHH has a Memorandum of Understanding with the County Government to support the last mile water connectivity by distributing water from boreholes done by the government, and other existing high-yield ones. This project is the 20th to be handed to the community under this partnership.

County Executive Committee Member for Water John Kieti, his Devolution counterpart Japheth Mang’oka, area MCA Justus Mwanzia and representatives of WHH led the handover of the project to the community at Kalembwani on Thursday.

GOVERNOR MUTULA, CS WATER HOLD TALKS ON WATER DEVELOPMENT IN MAKUENI.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday held a round table discussion with Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Eric Muuga at Maji House on collaborations to improve provision of clean water in Makueni.

Key areas of discussion centered on getting a permanent solution for Nolturesh water supply; collaborations for enhanced last mile water connectivity; enhancing the efficiency and capacity of Bulk Water Sevice Providers to reduce wastage through non revenue water.

The CS pledged to fastrack the completion of key national government water projects such as Yikitaa Irrigation Scheme in Masongaleni, Mukuyu in Kilome, Kiia Nzou in Kaiti, Kwa Kivai Irrigation Scheme, Kithuki Irrigation Scheme and Mbavani scheme among others.

Governor Mutula also made an appeal to the CS for equiping of the Makueni Dam Construction Unit through machinery from Thwake dam project after completion of phase one of the project.

GOVERNOR MUTULA COMMISSIONS BOREHOLE IN WOTE

August 20, 2024

The Kenya Red Cross Society is set to launch a new partnership with the County Government of Makueni for a comprehensive project designed to improve the living standards of local residents. The initiative will address critical areas including health, water, sanitation (WASH) and food security.

The announcement was made by Dr. Ahmed Idris, Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross Society during a briefing with Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. when he paid a courtesy call on him at his Wote office on Tuesday.

Dr. Idris observed that, despite a long-standing collaboration with the Makueni County Government, there are still critical gaps that need addressing. He noted that it has been long since the Red Cross undertook a major project in Makueni and expressed a strong commitment to reverse the trend.

Dr. Idris also pointed out concerns about the inadequate trauma care in local hospitals and offered to assist the County Government in building the capacity of medical personnel to better manage trauma cases.

Governor Kilonzo welcomed this proposal, emphasizing its timeliness, particularly in light of the frequent road accidents on the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway that have significantly impacted Makueni.

Later on, Governor Kilonzo, alongside Dr. Idris, commissioned a borehole rehabilitated by the County Government at the Red Cross offices in Wote. The borehole, which has a capacity of 3,000 litres per hour, will provide a reliable source of clean water for the Red Cross premises and nearby government offices, enhancing water accessibility for the local community.

The event was also attended by Devolution CECM, Japheth Mang’oka and Water Chief Officer, Eng. Julius Makau.

GOVERNOR MUTULA LAUNCHES MULIMA WATER TREATMENT PROJECT AND COMMISSIONS KEY INFRASTRUCTURE IN MBOONI

In a months time, residents of Mbooni, Tulimani and Kisau/Kiteta Wards in Mbooni Sub-county will have access to quality treated water from Mulima dam.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Thursday launched the treatment works project, which on completion will produce 2,400 cubic meters of treated water per day.

To increase the dam’s capacity, Governor Mutula said his government has budgeted Shs 40M in the 2024/25 Financial Year for further desilting and distribution.

During his development tour of Mbooni and Kisau Kiteta Wards, Governor Mutula also commissioned Tawa Sub-county Hospital Digital X-Ray machine, Ngwani drift and inspected Kisauni earthdam.

He was accompanied by County Assembly Majority Leader Eng. Kisungi wa Katete, MCAs Alexander Mulemba (Mbooni), Kyalo Mumo (Tulimani) and Darius Mainga of Kisau/Kiteta and a number of Executive Committee Members.