Taita Taveta to get water from Mzima Springs pipeline

Taita Taveta will get water from a pipeline from Mzima Springs by Coast Water Services Board at a cost of Sh42 billion.

The board’s chairman, Mr Granton Samboja, said in Wudanyi yesterday that the water board was committed to ensuring that the county’s residents have access to clean water.

He said the new Mzima Two would mainly serve residents of Taita Taveta and targets areas where residents walk long distances in search of water.

“The pipe will serve people in Voi, Mwatate, Wundanyi, Sagalla, Kasighau and Bughuta,” said Mr Samboja.

He said the government had already advertised for an expression of interest for the construction of the new pipeline.

“Valuation is ongoing and we are working together with the government to start this project immediately,” said Mr Samboja.

The water board chairman said the project had been delayed for many years but will now start.

He said the Mzima Two pipe would ease water pressure from the main Mzima pipeline, which serves Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa counties.

“We will be able to complete everything in four years,” he said.

At the same time, the chairman said the board would work on other water projects in Salaita, Chungaunga, Mwakitau, Shelemba, Msau, Talio, Ghazi, Mlilo, Kishushe and Bughuta. He said residents of these areas do not have a reliable source of clean water.

He said Kishenyi dam, which serves Werugha, will be de-silted to solve the perennial water shortage faced by residents.

“The board has also issued a tender for a water project that will serve Wanyumba and Mwaroko residents,” he said.

Mr Samboja urged the county government to work together with the national government in solving water problems in the county.