From left, Water Cabinet Secretary, Simon Chelugui, Tharaka Nithi Governor , Muthomi Njuki and the Kenya Red Cross Secretary General, Dr. Abbas Gullet after commissioning of the Kaanwa water treatment plant.
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The Water CS simon Chelugui cutting the ribbon to officiate the water treatment plant. Photo courtesy during the commissioning of Kaanwa water treatment plant. He was accompanied by the TharakaNithi Governor Muthomi Njuki (centre) and the Kenya Red Cross Secretary General, Dr. Abbas Gulleit
Over, 3000 residents of Kaanwa in Chuka Igambang’ombe Constituency will soon start benefitting from clean treated water for drinking and households consumption following a major a water treatment plant that was launched recently by the Ministry of Water and Sanitation and the Kenya Red Cross Society.
The water project will cost Sh.10 million to complete phase one of the project. The Ministry of water has already offered one billion shillings that to the Red Cross Society for countrywide disaster management programmes.
The Water Cabinet Secretary (CS), Simon Chelugui addressed the residents as he officiated the water treatment project where he said the treated water will prevent transmission of waterborne diseases in the area such as cholera and bilharzia.
The CS disclosed that the government has allotted 1.6 billion in the finalncial year 2018/2019 to provide sufficient clean water and quality sewage facilties in Chuka and Chogoria town centres.
He confirmed to the public that the tenders have already been awarded and the implementation is set to begin very soon. He noted the project is slated for completion by December next 2020.
Moreover, the CS said the government has also allocated Sh.26 million for sinking boreholes in the county in efforts to ensure over 80 percent of Kenyans access clean and cheap water by 2022.
The Kenya Red Cross Secretary General, Dr. Abbas Gullet explained that if solar panels can be substituted with electricity pumps, many residents can benefit substantially. Dr. Gullet says most arid and semi-arid counties are facing drought and urged their local county governments to partner with relevant organizations who are willing to support them to improve their living standards.
“We are committed in ensuring that we have a healthy society free from diseases and hunger and we will keep partnering with the devolved units,” Dr. Gullet said.
The Tharaka-Nithi Governor, Muthomi Njuki said most of the people in his county lack access to clean water promised to he will be more committed to ensure the problem of clean water becomes a story of the past. Governor Njuki also asked the locals to prepare to receive the commercial treated water that is managed by Nithi Water and Sanitation Company (NIWASCO).
“I am appealing to all our people to make sure that they consume treated water so that they do not contract diseases. My government is committed to ensuring that all the residents have access to clean and cheap water,” Njuki said.
