Addressing Water Issues In Laikipia West
Updated on: Mar 02, 2023
Water shortage in Salama Ward, Laikipia West will be a thing of the past following the drilling of three boreholes in the area by the County Government of Laikipia; Kiamariga, Muruai, and Kiboya.
The boreholes are part of the achievement of Governor H.E. Joshua Irungu, E.G.H, within the first six months in office as his government continues to implement pledges made to the people of Laikipia. The boreholes will be equipped in the next 4 weeks, providing enough clean water for domestic use, and enabling residents to start kitchen gardens.
Residents have embraced the noble move by the government, citing that they have endured decades of lack of reliable water, their only hope being seasonal rivers and unpredictable rainwater.
I have been walking for almost two hours in search of water, there are those who make a longer walk. The problem with me is that after the trek, I come back with only one jar of 20 litres and my back aches for a week. I thank this administration for coming to our rescue, commented Husnat Waweru, a Ngamia 1 resident in Kiboya area who came to witness the drilling of Kiboya borehole.
The boreholes have been drilled on public lands in consultation with the area residents for proper management. The residents have selected a management committee for each borehole to better control the water usage, and ensure every household in the community benefit.
According to the Kiboya borehole Chairperson, Richard Ngunjiri, the water will be reticulated to the four villages in the area, thereby saving them the hustles of long walks and the expenses of buying water.
Plans are underway to connect water from the source to Karera, Kiboya, Bondeni and Ngamia 1 village. The borehole has a capacity of 4,000m3 per hour, which will serve an average of 250 households, said Mr. Ngunjiri.
The drilling of the three boreholes has been preceded by public participation to take into account the input of local residents. During a public engagement with residents of Kiamariga, the mood at Muruai Primary School was elated as they gave their appreciation for the water project. The borehole will be drilled at the school compound to ensure the school and community have a reliable source of water.
Agnes Njeri, Kiamariga resident, is now happy that they will not be buying water anymore, which can sometimes be dirty.
I am very thankful to the Governor for this noble project of drilling a borehole in this area. We have been experiencing problems of buying water without even knowing the source, she said.
Charles Macharia, the Muruai Primary School BOM Chairperson, described the project as very timely and one that will help change the face of the school from hygiene to the general outlook.
Samuel Mugambi the area MCA, in his remarks asked the management team to take good care of the resources to ensure everybody benefits for a long period of time.
The boreholes are part of the achievement of Governor H.E. Joshua Irungu, E.G.H, within the first six months in office as his government continues to implement pledges made to the people of Laikipia. The boreholes will be equipped in the next 4 weeks, providing enough clean water for domestic use, and enabling residents to start kitchen gardens.
Residents have embraced the noble move by the government, citing that they have endured decades of lack of reliable water, their only hope being seasonal rivers and unpredictable rainwater.
I have been walking for almost two hours in search of water, there are those who make a longer walk. The problem with me is that after the trek, I come back with only one jar of 20 litres and my back aches for a week. I thank this administration for coming to our rescue, commented Husnat Waweru, a Ngamia 1 resident in Kiboya area who came to witness the drilling of Kiboya borehole.
The boreholes have been drilled on public lands in consultation with the area residents for proper management. The residents have selected a management committee for each borehole to better control the water usage, and ensure every household in the community benefit.
According to the Kiboya borehole Chairperson, Richard Ngunjiri, the water will be reticulated to the four villages in the area, thereby saving them the hustles of long walks and the expenses of buying water.
Plans are underway to connect water from the source to Karera, Kiboya, Bondeni and Ngamia 1 village. The borehole has a capacity of 4,000m3 per hour, which will serve an average of 250 households, said Mr. Ngunjiri.
The drilling of the three boreholes has been preceded by public participation to take into account the input of local residents. During a public engagement with residents of Kiamariga, the mood at Muruai Primary School was elated as they gave their appreciation for the water project. The borehole will be drilled at the school compound to ensure the school and community have a reliable source of water.
Agnes Njeri, Kiamariga resident, is now happy that they will not be buying water anymore, which can sometimes be dirty.
I am very thankful to the Governor for this noble project of drilling a borehole in this area. We have been experiencing problems of buying water without even knowing the source, she said.
Charles Macharia, the Muruai Primary School BOM Chairperson, described the project as very timely and one that will help change the face of the school from hygiene to the general outlook.
Samuel Mugambi the area MCA, in his remarks asked the management team to take good care of the resources to ensure everybody benefits for a long period of time.
