By Abdi Hussein
husseinabdi527@gmail.com
More than 3,000 households and 10,000 livestock from Kuju region, Kajiado East Sub County will benefit from a major water project after many years of suffering.
The Sh15 million water project was funded by the National Government through the Ewaso Ng’iro South Development Authority (ENSDA) and the county government of Kajiado.
Over the years, residents trekked for more than 15kms in search of the rare commodity and also had to drive their livestock to far away rivers.
The new water project involved installation of a 13km pipeline from the main Nolturesh Water Company pipeline to the villages with five water kiosks along it having a capacity of 5,000 litres each daily.
Several villages are to benefit, with each water kiosk having two animal water troughs that can accommodate 10,000 livestock and wildlife in the area..
Residents lauded the initiative saying they will now be able to engage into agro business and use most of their time in economically productive engagement.
“Our backs ache and our donkey can tell our story of anguish and thirst because over the years women from this region had to endure long distances in search of water,” said resident Eunice Nakutiti.
During the launch, joyful locals drank and danced, splashing fresh water to each other in disbelief.
The Covid-19 pandemic had delayed the launch of
the project for almost one year.
Kajiado Governor Joseph ole Lenku said his administration was focused to ensure
all villages along the Nolturesh water line have access to constant water
supply.
“Prophets of dooms were fast to say we are launching dry taps but residents
can now prove them wrong. More villages will continue being connected,” said
Governor Lenku.
ENSDA Director Ngala Oloitiptip said the project will be managed by Nolturesh
Water Company under the county government of Kajiado.
He said ENSDA will continue working with the county government in development initiatives.
“Kuju residents can rest assured water supply will be constant because 25,000 litres of water daily is sufficient for both domestic and animal use,” said Mr Oloitiptip.
Nolturesh sources its water from Mt Kilimanjaro and supplies part of Kajiado, Makueni and Machakos counties.