Gov’t to increase Murang’a water project allocation by Ksh150M – Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto has announced an increase in the allocation for the launch of water projects under the National Collector Tunnel in Murang’a from Ksh.350 million to Ksh.500 million.

Addressing residents of Muranga on Saturday, during the opening of a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) block, Ruto said that the move would go a long way to ensure address water issues in the county.

“Even here in Maragua, we know that you have water problems. I will add to the Ksh350m that Water CS Eugene Wamalwa promised to get it to Ksh500M so that we can solve the water issues here,” said Ruto, adding: “I will speak with Water Cabinet Secretary to speed up the disbursement of the money to ensure water issues are resolved.”

The announcement comes amid growing frustrations in Murang’a over apparent laxity in the resolution of water issues in the county.

In the recent past, Kandara Constituency residents have called on the government to intervene and solve the perpetual water challenges that the county has been facing.

Last month, CORD leader Raila Odinga announced that the government was constructing a project that would worsen the water crisis in Nairobi.

Raila said that the Northern Water Collector Tunnel Project, allegedly funded by the World Bank, would have dire effect on the people living on the Tana River basin, Murang’a, Garissa and Ukambani region.

“In Muranga alone, 77 species of aqua life including seven special fish species would be extinct. Water flowing into Masinga dam would also be affected,” said Odinga.

Water CS Wamalwa has however refuted Raila’s claims saying the project was launched by the Opposition leader, during his time as Prime Minister.

“The water supplied to Nairobi is 540,000 cubic meters yet what we require is over 700,000 cubic meters. We have about 6 million people in Nairobi every day, and Nairobi doesn’t have its own water,” said Wamalwa.