Ngilu flags off bowsers to fight drought

By Ramadhan Rajab

Fifteen water bowsers have been commissioned by the Government to tackle drought.

Addressing the Press during the flagging off at Maji House yesterday, Water Minister Charity Ngilu said the containers would bring water closer to people.

The minister said that despite the cost, the project would ensure 40 litres of water reaches affected households daily.

"This is a fire fighting exercise, but we are also taking up long-term interventions to this drought and kept our people walking long distances looking for water," Ngilu said.

This comes as most arid and semi-arid areas face a threat of cholera due to insufficient clean water.

Seven of the 15 bowsers flagged off each, will be deployed to stations in Garissa, Kilifi, Tana, Kisumu, Ijara and Nairobi. Each has a 16,000-litre capacity.

The minister said they bought the bowsers for Sh129 million.

Supply in nairobi

Mrs Ngilu said her ministry had given Sh10 million to Athi Water Services Board for water supply within Nairobi.

She said the ministry released another Sh40 million to the National Irrigation Board for purchase of two generators for Bura Irrigation Scheme, to boost irrigation and water conservation.

Ngilu added that through partnerships with National Youth Service and the army, her ministry had released Sh37 million for drilling and equipping boreholes in arid areas.

She said the tendering process for the borehole project had been concluded and work was expected to start next week.