Every household has a right to access water

Majority of rural households in Kenya’s 47 counties struggle to access safe drinking water. Thousands of women, girls and even men, spend inordinate amount of time searching for the precious commodity.

This hinders economic and social progress; a huge pull down on national growth. It is unfortunate that more than 50 years since independence, Kenya has not been able to provide clean piped water to all homesteads.

It is, therefore, heart-warming to see Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, launch an ambitious Sh2.5 billion water project aimed at supplying the commodity to all homes in the county. His dream presents a challenge to all the 47 county governments.

They should come forward and sink boreholes, collect rain water, treat water from rivers and pipe it to Kenyan homes.

With a reliable water source, families can also practice small-scale farming like growing vegetables. This would greatly improve food security as well as ensure a healthy nation. Still, in law, access to clean water is not a privilege, but a right, which the government must strive to provide.

Kenyans voted for the 2010 Constitution with a resolve to turn around their fortunes for the better. A commitment from all the county governors to supply piped water to all households will go a long way to fulfilling the Kenyan dream.

This will free children to attend school, while their parents engage in meaningful economic activities. We, therefore, urge all county chiefs to up their game on water provision even as they pursue other valid dreams like modern roads and better equipped health facilities.