Governors want more say in water projects

Council of Governors chairman and Meru Governor Peter Munya (left) at the Nchuui Methodist Church in Tigania East. [PHOTO: COURTESY]

MERU: The Council of Governors (CoG) will oppose any attempt to revert the water function to the national government.

CoG Chairman Peter Munya said they would oppose any amendment to the Water Bill in the National Assembly.

Speaking at the Nchhui Methodist Church in Tigania East sub-county, Mr Munya said the devolved units had proven they could handle the function, and any attempt to take it away from them would be illegal and malicious. 

“I and other CoG members will go to court if the National Assembly passes a law taking back the water function to the national government. As county governments, we have had a lot of success in starting water projects for people who have no water for domestic, agricultural and commercial use,” he said.

He added that the only challenge counties faced was lack of funds to carry out the function. But Igembe North MP Joseph M’Eruaki said the county government had failed to provide residents with water.

He said water projects in his area were undertaken by the national government.

“There are no water projects in my area done by the county government, thus they have failed in carrying out that function. Both the county and national government should do their bit in provision of water,” Mr M’Eruaki said.

Protect devolution

Munya urged senators to show their commitment to protect devolution by rejecting any attempt to revert the function. The county chief said governors were disappointed with the way senators were playing their role.

 “They (senators) are not supporting devolution. They are busy politicking and trying to unseat governors in the 2017 elections, instead of concentrating on their role to ensure counties have enough funds and political support as we work to deliver services to Kenyans,” Munya said.