Government to drill boreholes in Tana River County – KBC

The government aims to connect every village in the Tana River with piped water by drilling and equipping boreholes in the expansive County.

Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Principal Secretary (PS), Joseph Irungu, noted that water is a challenge in the County thus the government intends to ensure every village has clean drinking water.

The PS made the remarks in Hola while launching completed boreholes while commissioning the drilling of new ones, yesterday.

The Government through the Coast Water Works Development Agency (CWWDA) has drilled and equipped more than five new boreholes and is currently rehabilitating others in various parts of the County.

“Tana River people live in villages, therefore, supplying water to them is the easiest. We have commissioned some boreholes as others are ongoing,” said PS Irungu.

According to CWWDA the Sh9.2 million Solar powered Mikinduni Borehole in Galole Constituency will increase water supply to more than 100 households in the area.

Tana River Water and Sewerage Company Manager, William Jilo, lauded the government efforts for augmenting their efforts in the provision of water to Tana River County residents.

“This is a great project from the Coast Water Works Development Agency (CWWDA).  It will boost water production and supply in the Mikinduni, Kone and Mwangaza areas of Hola municipality. The boreholes being solar powered will reduce operational cost,’’ observed Jilo.

The County residents have been complaining of erratic water supply and even other areas lacking the basic commodity while they have a river in their midst.

Residents have urged the County Government to prioritise the Water Department in the Budget Estimates.

“Water Department should be a priority. Kasarani, Mikinduni and Kalkacha areas have no water yet they are in the Hola municipality zone,’’ lamented Jillo Buya at a public participation forum on Budget.

The area County Government has set aside Sh130M in its Budget Estimates for FY 2021/2022 for water related projects, including the drilling and equipping of boreholes.

The Budget Estimates are yet to be tabled in the County Assembly for debate and endorsement.