By Abdi Hussein
husseinabdi527@gmail.com
Hundreds Loitokitok residents in Kajiado South Sub-County will benefit from the
Sh1.1billion Nolturesh water springs rehabilitation project.
Apart from
residents getting a steady supply of water, the waste water treatment plant in
the township will also be revamped.
The project is among dozens of projects being undertaken by the national
government in phase two of the Small Towns Water and Sanitation
Program funded by African Development Bank(AfDB) to supply water to 19 towns.
The AfDB
program will also boost sanitation infrastructure in 17 towns, where more
than 2.1million people are poised to benefit from the project countrywide.
Speaking in Loitoktok , where she inspected the 1.1billion Nolturesh Water
Springs Rehabilitation and Waste Water Treatment Plant, Water, Sanitation and
Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki said the government is keen to get
value for money.
She said the government will not give contractors an extended period to
complete projects because many were responsible for stalling work for many
years.
“We are no longer in the business of extending the contract period. This
project ought to serve suffering residents in due time. Our quest to deliver
service to Kenyans will not be derailed,” said Kariuki.
She said the government has given contractors of a lee way to subcontract
other contractors instead of canceling stalling projects to avert delays.
The CS further said the government will continue outlining stringent measures
to avert shoddy jobs and deal with rogue contractors.
“My ministry has come up with raft measures in collaboration with other
stakeholders to ensure all these projects will be launched by President
Kenyatta in March 2021,” she added
She was accompanied by Water Secretary Eng. S.A.O Alima, Athi Water Works Development
Agency (AWWDA) CEO Eng. Michael M. Thuita, Tanathi Water Works Development Agency
CEO Eng. Frederick Wangamati and the Coast Water Works Development Agency CEO
Joshua Torutt among other senior officials.
She said previously, notorious contractors
would engage in shoddy works so that the contract is canceled and re-advertised
but that will not be the case anymore.
The solar powered Oloitokitok Water and Sewerage Project involves rehabilitation of the Nolturesh springs and the laying of a 16 km water pipeline to supply 5million cubic litres of per day.
A 1.5 megawatt solar system power supply will also be installed for two pumping stations and 15km lateral and trunk sewers laid, including the construction of a waste water plant to treat 3million litres per day.
Additionally,
the project will supply and install 6,000 consumer water meters for the
residents.
Rehabilitation of the Nolturesh water springs will be significant in increasing
the capacity of piped water utilized for domestic use in Loitokitok town and
irrigation in the neighboring Kimana.
The increased water capacity will further boost agriculture activities in the
area whose main economic activity is large-scale farming.
Kajiado South Sub county has several fresh water springs flowing the from
Mt Kilimanjaro water tower.
Kajiado county satellite towns and the neighbouring
Mavoko Township are expected to benefit from the Sh 45 billion water projects
countrywide.