State to build Sh35bn water pipeline in Taita-Taveta
Water overflows from a damaged pipe at Kibarani area in Mombasa. The government plans to construct a second Sh35 billion pipeline from Mzima Springs in Taita Taveta County.
What you need to know:
- Ms Kariuki was speaking during a tour of Mzima Springs in the Tsavo National Park on Thursday. The project was earlier quoted to cost Sh35 billion.
- With plans to construct the second pipeline, concerns have been raised over reducing water levels at Mzima Springs.
The government plans to construct a second water pipeline at Mzima Springs in Taita-Taveta County, Water Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki has said.
The pipeline is expected to draw over 100,000 cubic metres of water per day.
Ms Kariuki said the government will embark on implementation of the project as soon as the National Treasury completes reassessing the financing agreement with Exim Bank of China.
She said the Treasury is reassessing the document, which was sealed two years ago, to update the financial agreement due to the time lapse.
"We are at a point of relooking at the financial agreement; we know a lot of time has been lost since the deal was signed; the commencement of this project will be determined by the revision of the agreement,” she said.
Ms Kariuki was speaking during a tour of Mzima Springs in the Tsavo National Park on Thursday. The project was earlier quoted to cost Sh35 billion.
The water project is expected to benefit Taita-Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa residents. Currently, Mzima One supplies 40,000 cubic meters of water per day.
Structural changes
“The population of this area has grown and that means water needs have increased. This calls for the need to improve the supply of water to meet the ever rising demand and I know the National Treasury is pursuing this matter with the urgency it deserves," she said.
The CS said that due to the time lapse, structural changes in design will be made. She said the government is fast-tracking the implementation process since the project falls under President Uhuru Kenyatta's Big Four Agenda.
She said the government will execute various projects to open up the region.
With plans to construct the second pipeline, concerns have been raised over reducing water levels at Mzima Springs.
Currently, the springs supply fresh water to over 5 million people at the coastal region. The CS noted the concerns over the falling water levels of the important resource.
She said the government will protect the water catchment from drying up due to human encroachment.
The source of the springs around the Chyulu Hills has been encroachment on by residents who are farming at Mikululo area.
Ms Kariuki said the ministry is working with other stakeholders, including the ministry of Environment and that of Tourism and Wildlife, to resolve the encroachment crisis.
Over 3,000 residents have settled at the edge of Chyulu National Park after they won a case against Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) over a disputed 42,000-acre piece of land.
