The Mountain Journal
Murang’a Water (Muwasco) operation scope has been extended to Maragua after President William Ruto directed it to control the Sh1 billion Maragua bulk water project.
During the commissioning of the project at Gakoigo chiefs camps Ruto ordered Water Cabinet Secretary Zachary Njeru to hand over the project to Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata next week, to be passed on the the management of Muwasco.
It was a bombshell to Murang’a South Water (Muswasco) as Ruto said the national government was satisfied with the Maragua Bulk programme funded by the Ministry of Water and the CS should next week hand it over to the Murang’a County Government.
“ Now since water was a devolved function the Governor should take over the programme and do the necessary,” said Ruto as he said the government will inject another Sh180 million to fast track last mile connection to homes.
The President ordered the household connections should take six months to ensure all the homes in Maragua are connected to piped water.
In the past year, Maragua MP Mary Wamaua has been lobbying for the Maragua bulk water project to be handled by Muwasco as the Muswasco lacked capacity.
Muswasco last year defied Murang’a County Government’s directive to transfer its ownership, as four firms Gatanga, Gatamathi, Muwasco, and Murang’a West adhered.
Earlier, the head of state launched the Sh3.6 billion Ithanga water project describing it as a game charger ending the misery the locals in lower Gatanga had gone through for ages.
The government said the project implemented by the Athi Water Works Development Agency will be extended to Masinga and Yatta after they expand the water intake.
“ The project is designed to connect 60,000 residents with water and presently only 9,238 households have access to water,” said the head of state.
