Kiunjuri tells off Athi water project opponents

The Athi Water Services Board (AWSB) has embarked on a sensitization programme educating the community on benefits of the Northern Water Collector Tunnel (NWCT) in Murang’a County.

On Wednesday, board chairman Mwangi Kiunjuri said there was need to educate the public to caution them from being misinformed by opponents of the project.

The chair said that the project was designed and approved by the donors, cabinet and the national treasury as proof it has met all the international standards.

Kiunjuri said the Sh6.8 billion project facilitated by the World Bank was undertaken after a series of investigations by experts and proved it had no negative impacts as alleged by its proponents.

He spoke when he paid a visit to Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria when a technical committee appointed by local county assembly and experts from Athi are harmonizing their reports to help address various issues raised by the public on the project.

The multibillion project has been designed to fetch 140,000 cubic meters of flood water from Maragua, Irati and Gikigie rivers to boast water supply to Nairobi.

Kiunjuri, who was accompanied by boards CEO Eng. Malaquen Milgo, said Athi has set aside Sh2.6 billion to support local water projects to ensure 500,000 people will be connected with piped water in two years.

The former Laikipia East MP said there was need to support all stakeholders in the water sector to ensure the entire Murang’a County was covered in the commodity’s distribution network.

Iria said the county government has allocated Sh700 million this financial year to support water distribution programme.

He said that the county government’s main agenda is to ensure the 64 per cent of the population that has remained without access to water is considered through the partnership with various stakeholders.

A meeting is planned for next week for local elected leaders to be educated on the design of the project awaiting submission of the technical committee report at Murang’a County Assembly.