Treasury sets aside Sh200m to drill boreholes in slums
By Bernard Gitau, April 17, 2020
Bernard Gitau @benagitau
The National Treasury has set aside Sh200 million to drill boreholes and install elevated tanks in informal settlements, which has been termed as weak link in the fight against the Covid-19.
The unplanned, crowded and unsanitary settlements pose a challenge to coronavirus fight.
To address the issue of hand washing which is critical in fight against the virus, the National Treasury has given the Ministry of Water Sh200 million emergency funds to increase water supply.
Enhance supply
On Tuesday, Water and Sanitation Cabinet secretary Sicily Kariuki inspected the ongoing activities to enhance water supply to communities in informal settlements.
“The emergency fund will see 200,000 residents in the informal settlements supplied with an additional two million litres of water per day by the end of April,” said the CS at St Elizabeth Primary School in Mukuru slums, Naiorbi.
“The areas earmarked for these works include Kibera, Mukuru, Kawangware, Kayole Soweto, Korogocho, Mathare, Kangemi and Dandora,” said Kariuki, adding that Nairobi has 5,000 boreholes and due to the Covid-19, another 51 are being drilled.
Athi Water Works Development Agency will implement the project.