Leaders demand share of water

Masinga Dam overspill in Machakos County. Leaders in Machakos County have vowed to block a Sh2 billion water project to neighbouring Kitui County unless the water, which will be drawn from Masinga Dam, is distributed to locals first. PHOTO/FILE

What you need to know:

  • The leaders said residents had been promised they would benefit from the scheme but Tanathi Water Services, who are implementing it, reneged on this.
  • They accused the government of deliberately trying to cause a rift between Kitui and Machakos residents.
  • When the project kicked off mid-last year, the design had been altered to exclude Machakos, they said.
  • Earlier, Mr Mbai led residents in a demonstration around the market but stopped youth from destroying the pipes that have been installed.

Leaders in Machakos County have vowed to block a Sh2 billion water project to neighbouring Kitui County unless the water, which will be drawn from Masinga Dam, is distributed to locals first.

Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama, Masinga MP Itwiku Mbai, his Mavoko counterpart Patrick Makau and Machakos Deputy Governor Bernard Kiala said they would disrupt the laying of pipes until the government redesigns the project.

Speaking at Kaewa market in Masinga sub-county Sunday, the leaders said residents had been promised they would benefit from the scheme but Tanathi Water Services, who are implementing it, reneged on this.

They accused the government of deliberately trying to cause a rift between Kitui and Machakos residents.

Mr Muthama and Mr Mbai vowed to mobilise residents to disrupt work on the project.

EVERYONE'S RIGHT

Mr Muthama said he would use the Senate to push for counties to benefit from 30 per cent of natural resources in their areas.

“We will oppose the project if our people are left out. It is time we benefited from our resources,” he said.

The leaders said the government had in 2012, through then Water Minister Charity Ngilu, promised in Parliament that the project would cover the two counties.

But when the project kicked off mid-last year, the design had been altered to exclude Machakos, they said.

Earlier, Mr Mbai led residents in a demonstration around the market but stopped youth from destroying the pipes that have been installed.

The project, which is funded by the government and Africa Development Bank, is meant to supply drinking water to over 140,000 Kitui residents.

“We should be given water as we have been saying all along. The constitution says that everyone has a right to clean drinking water. We own the dam and therefore should be the first to benefit,”

“All we are asking for is 1.5million litre water tank to be set up at Kangonde hill to supply Masinga market. It can also take water to Ekalakala and T for Kivaa and Kithyoko. The design must be re-done to accommodate us,” said Mr Mbai.

Tanathi has put a three-million water tank at Kamuthumba hill for pumping water to Kitui.

NO EASY ROAD

Scheme has had problems before

Last year residents of Masinga in Machakos County where the dam is located, ejected employees of a Chinese construction firm and work only resumed after the government promised to bring Machakos County onboard.

The government is being accused of only providing Sh110 million for provision of water to Masinga market, which the residents say is inadequate.