Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has urged residents to report
incidents of water infrastructure vandalism to the appropriate authorities to
prevent the misuse of public funds.
During a development tour on Tuesday at Ilima Ward, Kaiti, Mutula
revealed that most government projects have cost millions to build, adding that
they must be protected.
"In most of these projects, we have spent over Sh10 million to
actualize them. We can't allow people to loot public money," Mutula noted.
According to the governor, the cost of vandalized water projects
installed with lighting and solar panels has hit Sh52 million.
He noted that his administration has intensified the crackdown on unscrupulous scrap metal dealers, adding that they will not relent in protecting water resources.
Mutula said that residents of Ilima Ward will soon enjoy improved water
access as the Kyangati-Wautu Water Project nears completion, with 90 percent of
the work already done.
The project is under the Financing
Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Program and features a sand dam, a
17.76 KW solar-powered pumping system, a 100 m³ storage tank, a 2.4 km pipeline
network, and two community water points.
Once completed, the project will serve approximately 1,500 households,
schools, markets, and churches in the area as part of a countywide effort to
enhance water supply.
With the availability of water through sand dams, reservoirs, and
boreholes, Mutula expressed confidence that the county's poverty level will
drop from its current 35 percent to 29 percent.
"As a county, we have already increased the distribution of clean
water from 5 percent to 4 percent, and we are now targeting 2 percent through
last-mile distribution by ensuring water reaches every household," he added.
Governor Mutula, accompanied by area MCA Jonathan Muthoka, also visited and inspected the Kiusyi Water Project, which is now 95 percent complete.
