By The Mountain Journal team
The use of water at Solio Villages in Laikipia has been lowered by
Sh150 following residents’ complaints of high charges.
The project which was funded by the Water Trust Fund and Laikipia County
Government saw the tariff lowered from Sh350 to Sh200 per month and the locals allowed
using the commodity for irrigation purposes. Already 1,800 households have been connected with
piped water and expect to start using drip irrigation to grow some horticulture
crops.
The resolution to lower the tariffs was endorsed in a meeting in the
locality and which was organized by the stakeholders and which was attended by
Deputy Governor John Mwaniki.
Others were Water and Environment Executive Member Njenga Kahiro and officials
from Nanyuki Water and Sewerage Company (Nawasco) who implemented the project.
Ms Ann Wangui, a resident of Village four, said the move will enable
parents to keep their young adults busy by giving them portions of land where
they can grow their crops for domestic and commercial purposes.
This, she said, would improve on the reduction of drug use among the
youths and insecurity issues as the youth will be engaged.
“Now that this water is affordable, our children will be able to make
money for themselves and stop indulging in crime,” said Wangui.
Mwaniki said the government is committed to the provision of clean and
affordable water to all citizens of Laikipia.
“We shall continuously improve this model to empower the citizens of
Solio to make sure they move from relief food dependency to food security as
envisioned in the government agenda,” he said.
Kahiro said the project was initiated to transform and improve the
quality of lives of the citizens, who suffered adverse effects of drought for development.
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