Water

𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞: 𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐥𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐳𝐨 𝐉𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐊𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has commissioned the rehabilitated Kitise Water Project at Katangini in Kitise-Kithuki Ward, marking a major step towards improving access to clean and reliable water in the area.

The project comprises more than 12 kilometres of rising main, over 25 kilometres of distribution lines, a water treatment plant at Katangini, and 250-cubic-metre masonry storage tanks at Yikitise Primary School. It also includes booster stations at Katangini and Mbata Markets.

The project has provided connections to 27 institutions, 168 individual households and 16 water kiosks, benefiting more than 11,000 people across the area.

Speaking during the commissioning, Governor Kilonzo said the project would not only improve access to clean water but also help reduce the need for residents to venture into crocodile-infested areas in search of water, thereby easing the risk of rampant crocodile attacks.

The Governor was joined by Makueni County Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu, Clerk Kevin Mutuku and several Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has begun a development tour of Kitise-Kithuki Ward.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has begun a development tour of Kitise-Kithuki Ward with an inspection of the ongoing Londokwe Dam project.

The Governor said the project is a priority for his administration, noting that the community has endured water shortages for far too long. He directed the construction team to ensure the dam is completed before the onset of the anticipated El Niño rains.

The project has been prioritized to enhance water storage for domestic and livestock use while strengthening the community’s resilience to drought. The dam has a planned storage capacity of more than 240,000 cubic metres and is expected to benefit approximately 10,500 people across the wider area.

Governor Mutula is accompanied by county officials, Makueni County Assembly Clerk Kevin Mutuku, area MCA Sebastian Muli, and other local leaders.

𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗶–𝗧𝘂𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗻𝗶 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝗸𝘂𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗹𝘆𝘂 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵.

Residents of Kikumbulyu North Ward are set to enjoy uninterrupted access to safe and reliable water as extension of the Athi–Tunguni Water Project from the Mukononi Hill Distribution Tank nears completion under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme.

The project comprises a 3.2km Mukononi–Kilisa pipeline extension, rehabilitation of Kilisa Water Kiosk, and a 6.2km Kilisa–King’uutheni–Kwa Sanga pipeline extension.

Once completed, the project will provide a lasting reprieve to residents who have long relied on the overstretched Kwing’ithya Water Project, whose supply has become unreliable due to increased demand.

The investment marks another significant step in Makueni County’s journey towards achieving universal last-mile access to clean and reliable water.

FLLoCA WATER PROJECTS ADVANCE WATER SECURITY IN MAVINDINI AND KITISE

The Government of Makueni County is making significant strides in strengthening water security through the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme, with two major water infrastructure projects nearing completion in Mavindini and Kitise wards.

In Mavindini Ward, the Ksh 13 million Athi–Mavindini Water Project is now 95 percent complete. Once operational, it will benefit more than 6,500 residents by reducing the distance to water sources. The works include construction of a 100m³ sump, rehabilitation of the rising main and water treatment plant, installation of four kilometres of irrigation pipeline with 40 tees, and three kilometres of distribution pipeline. CCTV cameras and security lighting have also been installed to safeguard the facility against vandalism.

In Kitise Ward, construction of the Ksh 15 million Londokwe Earth Dam has reached 92 percent completion under Phase I. The works include excavation of the reservoir, construction of a 180-metre embankment and a 120-metre spillway. Upon completion later this month, the dam will store more than 60,000 cubic metres of water, improving access for domestic use, livestock watering and other livelihood activities.

The two projects reflect the County Government’s continued investment in climate-resilient water infrastructure, improving access to safe and reliable water while supporting livelihoods and sustainable development across Makueni

DEPUTY GOVERNOR LUCY MULILI COMMISSIONS TWIN WATER PROJECTS TO BOOST ACCESS IN MULALA WARD

Residents of Mulala Ward are celebrating improved access to clean and safe water following the commissioning of two major water projects by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Thursday.

One of the projects, the Mulala Borehole Project, was drilled by the County Government during the 2024/2025 Financial Year, with a yield of 15,000 litres per hour. Through a partnership with Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH), water from the borehole has been distributed to 10 water points, benefiting 3,500 village residents as well as 1,700 learners at Mulala Girls Secondary School, and Mulala, Iviani and Uthangathini primary schools.

The Deputy Governor also commissioned Yandia Water Project, raising the total number of water projects implemented in Mulala Ward to 26 over the last four years. Mulili said the investments have significantly expanded water coverage, bringing the ward close to achieving universal access to clean and safe water.

She noted that the projects are part of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s Last Mile Water Connectivity agenda, which aims to ensure every household has reliable access to clean water, less than 2km by 2027

YANDIA WATER PROJECT BRINGS LASTING RELIEF TO 4,000 EMALI-MULALA RESIDENTS

Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili on Thursday commissioned the Yandia Water Project in Emali/Mulala Ward, a transformative initiative implemented under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Programme.

The project is set to improve access to clean and safe water for more than 4,000 residents through the construction of seven water points strategically located at Kwa Soo, Kwa Mbindo, Kwa Mutie, Kanyonyoo, Kwa Mulandi, Kativani and Muselele villages.

Beyond water access, the project promotes climate-smart agriculture by supporting households with conical and vertical kitchen gardens, enabling families to enhance food production, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience to the effects of climate change.

The initiative is expected to end years of water-related conflicts caused by scarce water sources while advancing Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s Last Mile Water Connectivity agenda, which seeks to ensure every household has access to reliable and safe water.

GOVERNOR MUTULA SIGNS STRATEGIC MoUS TO BOOST WATER SECURITY, FOOD PRODUCTION AND CLIMATE RESILIENCE

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Wednesday signed two strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Anglican Development Services Eastern (ADS-E) and Rural Water Management Solutions (Kenya) to accelerate access to safe water, enhance food security and build climate resilience across the county.

Governor Mutula said the collaborations, which will focus on sustainable development, will ensure prudent use of available resources while delivering tangible benefits to the people of Makueni. He challenged the partners to prioritize sustainability, safeguard water infrastructure from vandalism and deliver measurable results that improve the lives of Makueni residents.

Under the MOUs signed in Wote, ADS-E will invest KSh 910 million over the next three years to support climate-smart agriculture, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), environmental conservation, health and community resilience, while the renewed collaboration with Rural Water Management Solutions will expand access to reliable and safe drinking water through professional water management, digital technologies and strengthened water systems.

ADS-E CEO, John Mutua, and CEO Rural Water Management Solutions Eng. Jamlick Mutie signed MOUs for their respective organisations. Acting County Executive Committee Member, Water, Irrigation and Sanitation, Japheth Mangoka also attended the event.

MUTULA URGES CLOSER COLLABORATION TO PROTECT WATER PROJECTS FROM VANDALISM

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has called for stronger collaboration between county governments and water agencies to safeguard public water projects from vandalism, saying the destruction of infrastructure continues to undermine investments in the sector.

The governor made the remarks on Monday when he met the leadership of the Tanathi Water Works Development Agency (TAWWDA) led by Board Chairperson, Regina Ndambuki and Chief Executive Officer Sammy Lemunke Naporos.

Mutula said security should be incorporated into the design and implementation of water projects to protect critical infrastructure from sabotage and ensure investments deliver lasting benefits to residents.

The governor also urged the agency to fast-track the development of a sewerage system for Wote Town, warning that delays could trigger serious public health challenges once the government’s Affordable Housing Programme becomes operational.

The TAWWDA delegation is in Makueni to oversee the implementation of key water and sanitation projects aimed at improving access to clean water across the county.Among the flagship projects is the construction of a reinforced concrete weir on the Kaiti River, a 400-cubic-metre sump, infiltration galleries, submersible pumps, a 20-kilometre water distribution pipeline and 1,000 household water connections.

The Agency also handed over two motorcycles, office equipment and 10 smart water meters to the Makueni County Government to strengthen water service delivery and improve administration.

ADVANCING ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE WATER SOLUTIONS

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. and Project Maji Technical Director sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in the implementation of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes across the county.

The partnership will support the rehabilitation of existing boreholes, drilling and installation of new ones, with all systems designed to be solar-powered and tokenized to ensure communities have reliable access to water at all times. Through joint implementation, the partnership aims to deliver sustainable water solutions and improve the livelihoods of Makueni residents.

ATHI-KALAWA WATER PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION, SET TO TRANSFORM LIVES OF 30,000 RESIDENTS.

The County Government of Makueni and World Vision have moved closer to delivering one of the largest water investments in Kalawa Ward following a pre-inspection exercise of the Ksh 300 Million Athi-Kalawa Water Supply Project.

The project, which is approximately 90 percent complete, is expected to provide sustainable access to clean and safe drinking water to an estimated 30,000 residents of Kalawa Ward.

Once commissioned, the project is expected to significantly reduce the distance and time residents spend searching for water, improve household sanitation and public health.

Speaking during the inspection on Tuesday, Ag. CECM Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Japheth Mang’oka reaffirmed the County’s commitment to ensuring all outstanding works are completed to the required standards before commissioning.