Water
Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation is focusing on strategic investments that will see attainment of universal water coverage by 2030.
Water Cabinet Secretary (CS), Eng. Eric Murithi Mugaa, Monday, observed that initiatives on water resources management, water harvesting and storage, water supply and infrastructure and sanitation facilities, are aimed at ensuring that the country attains 100 percent water access.
Currently, Mugaa divulged that national access to water stands at 73 percent, while access to safely managed sanitation, is at 33 percent with basic sanitation at 93percent.
“These figures highlight the need for further efforts to achieve universal access by 2030, in line with SDG 6 and the Constitutional right to water and sanitation for all Kenyans. Everyone has a role to play in this collective effort,” remarked the CS.
Mugaa who was accompanied by the Principal Secretary for Water, Julius Korir, was speaking during the opening ceremony of the 13th Water Companies Sports Organizations (WASCO) games, being held in Murang’a. “The Ministry’s mandate is to ensure the sustainable management of Water Resources, provide universal access to water and sanitation, and enhance food security, through expanding irrigation,” he stated.
The CS called for leveraging on technology in the water sector, so as to enhance efficiency in water production, distribution, and utility management. “To promote technological advancements in the sector, the Ministry is encouraging utilities to adopt smart water metering, which is instrumental in reducing Non-Revenue Water.
“We urge all to embrace innovative solutions, to address persistent challenges, including harnessing energy for wastewater treatment, producing fertilizer as an alternative revenue source, and promoting wastewater recycling and re-use.” Mugaa explained
Additionally, the CS noted that integrating nature-based solutions, such as creating sponge areas and wetlands for treatment and aquifer recharge, can provide valuable benefits. He commended the organisers of WASCO games, for taking the initiative of tree planting, during the Five-day event.
“This action is a significant step in climate change mitigation and adaptation and aligns perfectly with the Ministry’s mission of protecting, conserving, and restoring water catchments.” He underscored. “The Ministry is making significant progress in developing a financing plan that leverages climate funding, to support sustainable water management and ensure universal access to water and sanitation,” The CS noted.
The PS divulged that the State is losing 195 million cubic meters of non-revenue water every year. To reduce the usage of water supplied but not billed to customers, Korir said that the water supply infrastructure and designers, need to sustainably manage the situation by upgrading and modernizing water infrastructure.
“Water companies in the country are losing 195 million cubic meters of water every year, which when translated to cash, means that we are losing Sh10.2 billion worth of water annually,” Korir regretted. “We need to sustainably manage this situation by engaging the designers and the water supply infrastructure, to ensure that in-built mechanisms address non-revenue water management,” Korir said.
The PS urged Murang’a Governor, Irungu Kang’ata, to champion the reduction of non-water revenue in Murang’a County. He noted that as the challenge may be brought by infrastructure, governance can play a crucial role in discouraging usage of non-revenue water.
Kang’ata in his sentiments observed that all wards have received Sh2 million for piping water in local homesteads under the last mile connectivity programme. The Governor stated the County government has also bought meters for water companies, to reduce the cost that residents may incur in purchasing smart meters.