More than 40,000 residents of the Utawala-Githunguri area are set to benefit from improved access to clean water following the completion of the Utawala Last-Mile Water Connectivity Project, which is expected to begin supplying households from August after years of unreliable water supply.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The project is expected to improve access to safe drinking water by expanding the existing distribution network, addressing a long-standing challenge that has forced many households to rely on saline borehole water and irregular water supply.

For years, the residents have struggled with limited access to clean water, with many households receiving piped water for only about two days each week despite rapid population growth in the area.

The prolonged shortages have forced many families to depend on borehole water, which residents say contains high levels of salinity and is unsuitable for daily household use, raising concerns over public health and sanitation.

📌 What You Need to Know

Access to clean water is considered one of the most basic human needs, playing a vital role in protecting public health, improving sanitation and supporting livelihoods, which also reduces the risk of waterborne diseases and enables households, schools and businesses to operate effectively.

Muthwani Residents Association Chairperson Denis Oyunge described the project as a major milestone that could significantly improve access to clean water while contributing to Kenya's efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal Six, which seeks to ensure universal access to safe and affordable drinking water.

According to Oyunge, the area currently receives about 9,000 cubic metres of water against an estimated demand of 30,000 cubic metres, leaving a daily deficit of about 21,000 cubic metres.

He said the growing population in Utawala-Githunguri has continued to strain the existing water infrastructure , making the expansion of the supply network critical to meeting the community's needs.

Other residents said the continued use of saline borehole water has not only affected household consumption but has also damaged infrastructure, with soak pits and septic tanks collapsing after prolonged exposure to the salty water.

The residents expressed optimism that the project will provide a lasting solution but urged the relevant agencies to complete the remaining works on schedule and ensure all targeted households are connected.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke