Big relief as Sh143m water project launched in Laikipia

Nanyuki Water and Sewerage Company Managing Director Kennedy Gitonga (left) and Joseph Warui (Contractor) sign the project’s agreement. [Jacinta Mutura, Standard]

Laikipia County has launched a Sh143 million water project that is expected to benefit over 25,000 residents of Solio Settlement Scheme.

The project, which is jointly funded by the county government and the Water Sector Trust Fund, was handed over to the contractor on Thursday and will be completed in six months.

The project will involve laying of gravity pipeline for 31km from the intake and another 37km for distribution to the villages.

The intake has been identified in Aberdare Forest at Amboni River, a tributary of Sagana River, with Governor Ndiritu Muriithi saying the seven villages in Solio would receive clean water.

“This is a key project for us and we expect to boost production in the villages and reduce distance women and children cover while looking for water,” Muriithi said.

The contractor is expected to withdraw 30 million litres from the river before the water is pumped into two main tanks and then distributed to the villages.

Water will be distributed in Mathingira, Baraka, Makadamia, Tetu, Furaha, Rehema and Bahati locations in Tigithi ward.

Area MCA Mutahi Muritu said the project will save residents from the struggle of buying water from faraway areas.