Fears over water shortage hit Murang'a

Murang’a county development implementation committee led by County Commissioner Mohammed Barre (second right) in a tour of Kagaa- Kiruri road. [Boniface Gikandi]

Hundreds of Murang’a residents could be cut off from water supply by ongoing road construction works.

The residents of Gathati are now asking the contractor building the Kagaa-Kiruri road to find ways of ensuring they are not cut off from the supply. 

“It is our prayer that water supply is not disrupted as billions of shillings was spent to get the resource from the Aberdares,” said Peter Kiruri, a resident.

There have been deliberations between Kahuti and Murang’a South Water and Sanitation Companies and National Irrigation Board (NIB) on how to secure the pipes from destruction.

Three months ago, Kahuti Managing Director Ephantus Kamau obtained a court order that requires the contractor to replace any destroyed pipes. 

The pipes also supply water for irrigation in Kiharu. Last week, County Commissioner Mohammed Barre led the County Development Implementation Committee on a tour of the affected areas.

The committee directed the contractor to ensure pipes lying a metre below the ground are not removed or relocated.

“The road is a priority and the technical managers of the water companies and NIB should be on the ground to guide the contractor,” said Barre.

Kenya Rural Roads Authority (Kerra) Central Region Manager Joseph Wanjohi said there was an agreement that the parties will work together to reduce cost of damage. Wanjohi said relocation of pipes between Kagaa and Gathaithi areas was a big challenge.