Meru residents oppose Sh1b sewer plan

The fate of a Sh1 billion project for a new sewerage plant hangs in the balance after a section of residents opposed it.

The county government, through the Tana Board, plans to build the plant at Rwanyange in Nyaki East, North Imenti.

But Rwanyange Residents Self-Help Group, through chairman Charles Kariuki, have opposed the location of the project, arguing it is on top of the Kinyaritha river, a swamp, and the Gwantaruri well, all important water sources for farmers.

Nyaki East MCA Robert Kithinji said the sewage project is opposed by residents as it will compromise their agricultural productivity.

“Below the planned sewage plant is 80 acres of riparian land. The Kinyaritha river is an important source for community water projects which support farmers. Livelihoods are at stake, so we are going to oppose it,” Mr Kithinji said yesterday.

He added: “The project is being imposed on us, we were not consulted. Farmers here have contracts with a major French beans buyer who now wants to withdraw.”

Yesterday, Meru Urban Water and Sanitation Corporation CEO Joseph Mberia, said the Governor Kiraitu Murungi administration had secured the Sh1 billion to undertake the project to address the sewage disposal challenge.

Mr Mberia said the population in Meru town and surrounding areas had increased and called for relocation of the Gakoromone sewerage system near the CBD.

“We have gotten almost Sh1 billion funding from the African Development Bank through the national government. The funding will alleviate the sewerage problem caused by rise of population,” said Mr Mberia.

He said the current sewage plant served only 10 per cent of Meru town, Kithoka and surrounding areas.

Some people were haphazardly disposing of waste and compromising sanitation, Mberia pointed.

The official said if everything goes according to plan, the new plant will be delivered by 2021.

A 40-acre at Rwanyange was procured by the Tana Board for the sewerage works.

The contractor is already on site mapping out the areas the sewer lines will pass through.

Mr Kariuki and Stanley Mutwiri, a resident, said the new sewage plant will pose a health challenge and deal a blow to food security.