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Water

RELIEF FOR KASIKEU RESIDENTS AS LUMU BOREHOLE BRINGS SAFE WATER TO THOUSANDS

Over 2,000 residents of Lumu and Kalimbini in Kasikeu Ward now have access to safe and clean water, thanks to a partnership between the Makueni County Government and WHH.

For years, the residents endured severe water shortages due to the inadequacies of the Nolturesh water supply. Today, they enjoy reliable access to fresh water from the newly completed Lumu borehole, which now serves the community at the last mile.

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, accompanied by Water ECM John Kieti, area MCA Reuben Nzai, and WHH officials, commissioned the project on Thursday. The borehole project features six kiosks fitted with digital meters to promote transparency in governance and reduce non-revenue water losses.

The initiative is part of a broader partnership between WHH and the County Government of Makueni to enhance water distribution from high-yielding sources, advancing the Last Mile Water Connectivity agenda championed by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.

REHABILITATION OF KWA KAKUI EARTH DAM TRANSFORMS LIVELIHOODS IN MUKAA WARD

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

GOVERNOR MUTULA LAUNCHES MAJOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO BOOST CLEAN WATER ACCESS IN WOTE

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr, flanked by Tanathi Water Works Development Agency CEO Fidelis Kyengo, on Wednesday launched critical infrastructure works aimed at improving water supply for Wote Town and its environs.

The projects, funded by Tanathi through a long-standing partnership with the county government, include:

• Equipping a 30,000-liter-per-hour borehole at Mwaani and connecting it to a 12.5 KW solar power system;

• Solarizing the Kamunyolo community water supply system with a 10 KW solar installation;

• Installing an 88 KW solar power system for booster pumping to the Makueni Boys distribution tanks;

• Construction and rehabilitation of 13.5 km distribution pipeline;

• Supply and installation of bulk water meters.

The Mwaani borehole will inject an extra 30,000 litres per hour into the existing water supply network, while the Kamunyolo project will increase daily pumping hours from just 45 minutes to 7 hours.

Governor Mutula noted that his administration is working round the clock to ensure sustainable and adequate clean water supply for Wote Town, to meet the demands of its rapidly growing urban population and to boost investor confidence.

ATHI-TUNGUNI WATER PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION, BRINGING RELIEF TO THOUSANDS.

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 TO ROLL OUT MAJOR WATER UPGRADE IN MAKUENI COUNTY

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.

CLEAN WATER AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE BRING NEW HOPE TO MUKAANGE, MASONGALENI WARD

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.

GOVERNOR MUTULA SIGNS PARTNERSHIP TO STRENGTHEN WATER SECTOR GOVERNANCE

In an effort to entrench good governance in the water sector, Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has signed a partnership agreement with a consortium of non-state actors operating in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) space.

The partners to this agreement include:

• Centre for Social Planning and Administrative Development (CESPAD),

• Kenya Water and Sanitation Civil Society Network (KEWASNET),

• Kenya Water for Health Organization (KWAHO), and

• Neighbours Initiative Alliance (NIA).

The partnership aims to:

• Jointly mobilize resources (technical and financial) to improve water service delivery, and;

• Strengthen and enhance coordination among stakeholders in implementing climate-resilient WASH programs.

Additionally, Governor Mutula hosted a delegation from the Uganda Water and Sanitation NGO Network (UWASNET), which is visiting Kenya to learn from regional best practices in community-led water development and governance.

HOPE FOR RESTORATION OF NOLTURESH WATER AS PARTNERS MEET TO CHART RESTORATION STRATEGIES

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.

GOVERNOR MUTULA CALLS FOR RURAL WATER REFORMS AFTER RECEIVING GOVERNANCE SURVEY

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has called for urgent reforms in rural water management after a new survey revealed widespread inefficiencies in Makueni County’s rural water schemes.

The survey, conducted by Emali Dedicated Children’s Agency (EDCA) and presented to the governor on Wednesday, assessed the effectiveness of rural water governance structures in ensuring reliable water supply. The survey, which began in November 2024, found that despite strong stakeholder engagement, 90% of rural water projects are poorly managed, leading to frequent failures and denying communities access to safe water—with women and children bearing the brunt of the crisis.

Key findings indicate that mismanagement stems from lack of financial and technical expertise among local water committees.

To address these challenges, the report recommends:

Amending the Makueni Water Policy (2019) to formally institutionalize rural water governance; Automating water points and digitizing billing systems to reduce corruption; and introducing ATM-based payments to improve revenue collection and accountability.

Governor Mutula described effective water governance as the cornerstone of sustainable development, emphasizing the need for research-backed policies and partnerships with organizations like EDCA.

SOLAR ENERGY IS REVOLUTIONIZING WATER ACCESS IN MAKUENI!

“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.