The governors of Kitui and Machakos counties have stepped in to resolve a long standing dispute between residents of the two counties over the use of Masinga Dam water resource.

Governor Julius Malombe (Kitui) and Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos) on Friday formed an ad hoc committee that will discuss and come up with ways on how residents of the two counties will amicably share the Masinga Dam water.

The committee that was unveiled on Friday in Machakos town will comprise of senior water officials drawn from the two counties and will look into proper ways of utilization of the water resource in order to end the crisis.

Masinga dam, which is one of the seven forks is in Machakos County but is the main supplier of water to residents of Kitui town and other outskirt towns in the same county.

The water is managed by Kitui Water and Sanitation Company (Kitwasco) which operates from Kitui town.

Threatened protests

This scenario has made the residents of Machakos county feel disadvantaged and have on numerous occasions cried foul and threatened protests over Kitui county’s perceived domination of the important resource.

However, the two governors who spoke shortly after unveiling the water committee assured residents of the two counties a fair sharing of the water resource in the spirit of South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (Sekeb) which brings together the three counties of Ukambani.

The two county chiefs noted that the team would draw up a fair and equitable formula regarding the use of Masinga dam water for the benefit of the residents.

Malombe and Ndeti further stated that the ad hoc committee will offer solutions to the existing conflict between communities from the two neighboring counties by ensuring fair and just utilization of the resource.

“The committee will deliberate on how to streamline water supply between the two counties and prevent any future hitches in providing water to our residents the satisfaction of everybody,” Malombe said.