All public primary schools will soon receive water connection. This is according to the CS for Water and Irrigation, Eugene Wamalwa. The program is one of the many programs that the Ministry in partnership with the US government is planning to undertake as a measure of easing access to water and curbing drought and serious water shortage that the country is experiencing currently.
The CS mentioned the Kenya Integrated Water Sanitation and Hygiene (KIWASH) project as a major project that will see 9 counties benefit, among them Siaya, Busia, and Kakamega.The project is expected to last five years right from September 2015-September 2020 and is expected to cost 50.9 million US dollars. The project is also expected to benefit one million people directly.
Nairobi river was also mentioned as a key and major priority for the ministry as it serves a majority of Nairobi and its environs. “The late Michuki was keen on preserving the river and it’s up to us to regain its lost glory,” said Wamalwa.
The ministry will also undertake another project which is a partnership with USAID and will solely concentrate on the five major arid areas in the country mainly Turkana, Marsabit, Isiolo, Wajir, and Garissa. The project is aimed at coming up with a responsive and accountable governance framework at county government level that ensures sustainable provision of water and pasture.
The US Ambassador, Bob Godec, emphasized on the need to have more of those in the private sector partnering with the government. “We must find ways to involve the private sector to assist with the projects,” he said.
As a long term goal, the ministry is expected as from next week to partake in groundwater exploration and assessment project. The project is expected to assist the Kenyan government in exploring and mapping the groundwater potential in selected regions, build local capacity to ensure groundwater resources are developed and managed sustainably.
The ultimate goal according to the CS is to increase household resilience to droughts and related shocks by increasing access to and utilization of water resources.