Kwale: The Kwale county government has launched several multibillion-shilling urban and rural water supply and sanitation projects aimed at improving access to clean water and promoting healthier living conditions for residents of the coastal county. Governor Fatuma Achani stated that the projects are designed to enhance access to water, sanitation, and hygiene for all.
According to Kenya News Agency, the ambitious urban water project, dubbed the Mabokoni-Kilole Water Project, is funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Kwale Water and Sewerage Company Ltd. Additionally, rural water supply schemes comprising dams and boreholes are funded and implemented by the devolved government to aid rural communities lacking basic drinking water access. Governor Achani, accompanied by County Water Executive Hemedi Mwabudzo and Kwale Water and Sewerage Company Ltd Managing Director Eric Parmet, addressed the press after touring the project sites.
Governor Achani highlighted that the rural water schemes aim to alleviate the burden on women and girls who travel long distances to collect water, impacting their well-being, school attendance, and increasing the risk of gender-based violence. The projects in Diani focus on drilling nine boreholes, constructing storage tanks, and upgrading pipelines to tackle persistent water shortages. The Diani water project aims to serve over 2,000 people in the tourism hub.
She noted significant progress since August 2022, with the construction of 17 dams, drilling of 40 boreholes, and installation of 500 kilometers of water pipeline to enhance water supply for people and livestock in arid and semi-arid areas. Achani emphasized her administration’s commitment to upgrading existing infrastructure and constructing new dams and reservoirs to boost food production.
MD Parmet confirmed that the Diani urban project will enhance water flow efficiency by providing an additional 10 million cubic liters of water daily. This capacity is expected to meet the needs of areas such as Ukunda, Tiwi, Kombani, and Check Point. Parmet described the infrastructure development as a crucial relief for addressing the prolonged water scarcity in Diani municipality and its surroundings.
Parmet urged local communities to maintain the newly provided infrastructure to ensure its long-term effectiveness and sustainability.