Residents face acute water shortage as Sh1.1b project stalls

At least 60,000 residents in Loitoktok town in Kajiado and its environs are grappling with acute water shortage after government Sh1.1 billion project stalled three years ago.

Before her exit, former Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki had reprimanded the contractor for the unnecessary delays, putting him on notice to finish the project by May 2022. She had led a government delegation to inspect the project in February 2022.

The mega project began in 2020 and was among the 22 major projects worth Sh45 billion that were being undertaken by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.  Solar powered project was scheduled to benefit 60,000 households in the region supplying five million litres per day. Mega solar panels installed in the project were to ease the high cost of electricity.

Kenya Power is said to be demanding at least Sh4 million from a local water company for accrued unpaid electricity bills.

 Increased water capacity was further to boost agriculture activities in the area whose economic activity is large-scale farming.

 However, the project has been unable to serve residents as anticipated, leaving tens of locals grappling with water shortage, especially now that the area is facing eminent drought.

 “We only received water when the contractor was testing the systems. There is no system connection to the water source. This happens to be another government white elephant at the expense of thirsty locals. We are worried and we urge the current administration to complete these projects to help improve our lives,” Alex Kipes, a resident, said.

  “We want the relevant government bodies to intervene. It’s a pity to see we have plenty of water,” John Muthee, another resident, noted.

 Sh1.1 billion Nolturesh springs waste water treatment in the area has also stalled. The treatment plant was expected to be completed by the end of 2021 but conspicuously stands incomplete.

Some of the complete projects in the region include the Rehabilitation and Augmentation of Amboseli Water Supply Project, which involves rehabilitation of Serena intake weir, installation of two new water pumps, 180 solar panels, laying of 60kms of water pipelines and construction of two storage tanks at Risa and Mashenani each storing 15,000 and 10,000 litres respectively.