Conserve water during El Nino – CS Wamalwa

Kenyans have been urged to ensure they conserve enough water that will sustain them for several months once the much awaited El Nino begins.

According to Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, dams sunk during the colonial era are still operational.

The Cabinet Secretary emphasized on the need to desilt them in order to enable proper storage and harvesting especially for use after the long rains.

He said the government would use the National Youth Service (NYS) and other development partners and the County Governments to desilt the dams and urged Kenyans to ensure they make good use of the rain water.

The Cabinet Secretary was speaking in Nyahururu town while on a tour to inspect the new Nyahururu Water and Sewerage Company (Nyahuwasco) sewerage system.

The new sewerage system was built at a cost of over Ksh 1.5 billion funded through the Arab Development Bank and the Kenyan government.

Wamalwa said the Nyahuwasco management had met the proper plans for water sustainable and improved sewerage systems geared towards achieving government’s blue print Vision 2030.

He said Nyahururu is one of the few towns that have demonstrated commitment towards water sustainability.

Wamalwa noted the government was devoted to ensuring that all Kenyans get access to clean water and Sanitation as enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution, adding that the government would through the Public-Private-Partnership would work closely with county administrations to ensure more Kenyans are able to access clean water.

Wamalwa said plans were underway to build Kahurura Dam in Nanyuki, Pesi Dam in Salama Ward and Gtiri Dam which will be able to supply water even to the neighbouring counties of Nakuru, Nyandarua and Nyeri.

He said Gatiri dam would supply its waters to the Naivasha area and its environs.

The CS said it was unfortunate to see many young people miss opportunities to join the security forces due to teeth damage as a result of high fluoride contents in water.

Nyahururu Water and Sanitation Managing Director Benard Mwaura said residents around the area were now able to get quality water adding that the Water Trust Service Fund (WSTF) has donated Ksh 4 million to build modern toilets at the sprawling Kiamaina settlements.

He said the water company was working hard to meet its targeted plans.

Laikipia County CEC for Water and Irrigation Mr. John Bosco Akaale said it was prudent to de-silt the existing dams before the onset of the El-Nino rains.