MP's anger as locals go without water

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wa Muchomba challenged county assemblies to come up with legislation that will prioritise water supply to local communities first. [iStockphoto]

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wa Muchomba has kicked up a storm by threatening to sponsor a motion in parliament in a bid to amend the Water Act.

Gathoni said is unfair for residents from counties that supply water to Nairobi notably Kiambu and Murang'a, to suffer from acute shortage of the commodity while Nairobi enjoys constant supply.

According to the lawmaker, counties or constituencies that host dams should be supplied with 10,000 cubic metres for domestic use.

"It's a pity that Githunguri has Ruiru dam with a capacity of 160,000 cubic meters yet women there still carry jerricans to fetch water. Where is the logic here? These women are not asking for water to irrigate but for their domestic use," said Gathoni.

She challenged county assemblies to come up with legislation that will prioritise water supply to local communities first.

Gathoni at the same time accused the management of Ruiru dam of not employing locals. As a result, the first time MP further claimed locals have a negative perception of the dam.

"Ruiru dam was constructed in 1959 by colonialists to supply water to Nairobi. I will not tolerate seeing all this water being piped to Nairobi when our people need it," she said.

Since there is now a level five hospital in the constituency famed for dairy farming, the MP said the area needs a guaranteed water supply.