Muranga, Kenya: A stakeholders' forum in Murang'a has resolved to suspend construction of the Sh6.8 billion Northern Water Collector Tunnel, citing inadequate public participation in the project.
The forum was convened by County Assembly Speaker Nduati Kariuki and Governor Mwangi wa Iria following complaints from the public.
Mr Nduati said the Athi Water Services Board must first assure residents that the flow of rivers targeted in the project would not be interrupted.
"Leaders in Murang'a have agreed to support the project on assurance that our underground waters will not be interfered with," said the Speaker.
Nduati said Murang'a must benefit from its water resources the same way Turkana residents will benefit from the oil find in their county.
"Water is an important resource and we must benefit from it," said Nduati.
Murang'a Senator Kembi Gitura called on leaders to interrogate the project to ensure future generations would not be deprived of water.
"We need to plan to ensure we will not be forced to beg for water from Nairobi because our towns are expanding rapidly and the commodity is going to be in high demand," said the senator.
TUNNEL PROJECT
The leaders took the management of AWSB to task, demanding to know why it had decided to build the tunnel at the source of rivers Irati, Gikigie and Maragua, and not downstream.
During the meeting held at a hotel in Kenol, Maragua MP Peter Kamande supported the tunnel project, saying part of the Sh2.5 billion budgeted for the initiative would be used on corporate social responsibility activities to benefit his constituents.
But this did not go down well with his parliamentary colleagues Clement Wambugu (Mathioya), Humphrey Njuguna (Gatanga) and Sabina Chege (Woman Rep), who said the entire county leadership was in the dark about the project.
"Why has the project being implemented in the upper region instead of concentrating on areas where floods affect the community?" Ms Chege posed.
A week ago, Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau, in whose constituency the targeted rivers originate, also disowned the project.
And Chris Gakahu, a local resident, said the tunnel should not be imposed on the people.
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"There has not been adequate consultation as only a few people in Murang'a are aware of the project," said Mr Gakahu.
Governor Iria called on the local county assembly members to submit their views on the Water Bill, which is pending in the National Assembly.
Got approval
"Our input should be captured in the bill as water is a major resource and the counties should share benefits accruing from their water resources," said the governor.
AWSB Chief Executive Officer Malaque Milgo said the project had been given a clean bill of health by environment experts.
"The board has ensured that the project will only tap flood waters and the rivers will continue to flow freely," he said.
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