Kitui Rural MP Mboni Mwalika has revealed that Only 180,000 out of 1.1 million Kitui residents have access to clean drinking water. This has led to most families risking their lives to water-borne diseases such as typhoid since most Kitui residents consume unsafe water.
“I want to thank the National government for bringing the event in my constituency but we must look into the issues of water in our county because we get water from dams and rivers thus only 15 percent of Kitui people have access to clean water. This is only 180,000 people which translates to more than 1.1 million people drinking unsafe water.” MP Mwalika said.
The MP on Tuesday graced the commissioning of the Kavisuni/ Maliku borehole water project during the celebrations of world water day. In the event that was attended by Douglas Mutai the Director of Administration in the National Ministry of Water who represented Water Cabinet Secretary, Mwalika lauded the National Government for the efforts in laying and implementing the water infrastructure in his constituency and called for more investments in water distribution.
“This means that when our people drink dirty water, they are prone to stomach diseases which make people sick. When our people are sick this means that they can’t work and contribute to our economic growth so I would like to ask the National Government to allocate more funds in Kitui to curb water shortage,” Mwalika went on.
Mwalika also thanked the National Government for their continued effort in seeing that the Thwake dam is completed. However, he called for good plans for the people to use the water not only in Konza techno city but also in other remote parts of Ukambani especially the lower Kitui where the people can use the water to do irrigation which will lead to increased food security.
Water CS James Macharia’s speech delivered by Douglas Mutai reiterated that the Government is gearing to ensure that all the Kenyans have access to clean and safe water through the last connectivity initiative and they are also encouraging the residents to take care of water resources and projects from the government.
“The theme of this year is groundwater making the invisible visible and is aligned with the vision 2030 which is aimed at sustainable development for all and the government is entitled to the conservation of the water catchment areas like through tree planting to increase the water supply to 80% by the end of this year,” part of the speech read.
Mutai also revealed that the government will ensure that the water projects started by the Jubilee Government will be completed in time. Other dignitaries that were present at the world water day celebrations held at Maliku primary school in Kitui Rural were Kitui Deputy Governor Dr. Wathe Nzau, TANATHI CEO Eng. Fred Mwamati, Kitui County Commissioner Bongai Rioba, Kitui Police Commander Leah Kithei among other leaders.
