Gatanga residents raise alarm over water abstraction as river levels drop

Ithanga Water intake near Blue Post Hotel is under threat due to water scarcity following massive water obstraction upstream. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard]

The fate of the Sh4.4 billion Ithanga water project on Thika River hangs in the balance following the massive abstraction of water by more than 14 farmers upstream.

The project that is nearing completion is at risk after a proposal to construct a dam to boost water supply to Thika town and its environs.

Residents raised concerns over low water levels during a tour of the project whose construction was funded by the Belgian government. It is designed to supply water to more than 60,000 households.

Gatanga Water Company Managing director John Kairu said there is a need for the Water Resource Authority (WRA) to ensure the mega dam in the design stage considers the Ithanga water intake.

"Right now the abstraction at the intake is insufficient for the demand in the lower Gatanga," said Mr Kairu, adding that the prolonged drought has impacted negatively on availability of water.

The project is designed to fetch 150 cubic meters per hour, but presently abstracts 25 cubic metres per hour.

Peter Mwania, a resident of Ngelyia, said there was need for the proposed dam to be constructed and allow the release of at least 10,000 cubic metres of water per hour daily downstream.

"The government agencies conversant with water projects should move in and save Ithanga people through providing the best design that will consider the interests of the people downstream," said Mwania.

Water shortage

He recounted how thousands of people have suffered due to a shortage of water, thus the need for the leadership to be involved in the management of the water.

"Another challenge facing the project is the lack of electricity to pump water from the Greystone area to the elevated tank at Nanga," said Joyce Wanjau, a farmer.

Peter Munyao, a resident of Ithanga, called on the government to speed up investigations into the mysterious disappearance of solar panels owned by Gatanga Water Company from the custody of Ngatho chief's camp.

Four administrators are persons of interest after 15 solar panels were dumped at Kaguku Police Station over the weekend by unknown people.

Mr Munyao said that the solar panels now in police custody produce 330 watts, while those that were stolen from the chief's camp produced 300 watts.

"It is my appeal to the DCI to investigate the matter and arrest those behind the transportation of the equipment from the chief's office to an unknown destination," he said.