Tanathi Commits to Expanding Water Access in Ukambani, Kajiado counties

Speaking on Tuesday, Ndambuki said that to avert the massive loss of livestock experienced during prolonged dry spells in the Lower Eastern region, TWWDA has developed a comprehensive plan to guarantee sufficient water supply for livestock throughout the year. “Livestock keeping is the main economic activity for the people of Kajiado and parts of Lower Eastern. When animals die due to lack of water, families lose their primary source of income. As Tanathi, we are determined to address this challenge,” she said.

Ndambuki made the remarks while leading the TWWDA board on an inspection tour of the Sh17 million Kaya Earth Dam project in Kyuso Ward, Kitui County. Once completed, the dam will serve at least 150 households. She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting President William Ruto’s goal of providing adequate water to underserved communities in the Lower Eastern region and across the country.

 “We are implementing water projects in remote areas like Kaya in line with President Ruto’s Bottom-Up Transformational Agenda. Our mission is to make clean and reliable water accessible to people at the grassroots,” Ndambuki added.

The chairperson noted that the board was impressed by the contractor’s performance, observing that the project was already 60 percent complete. Local residents expressed optimism about the project’s impact. Rebecca Kyambi, a villager whose late husband donated the land for the dam, said the new water source would help address numerous social challenges faced by the community. “We have suffered severe water shortages for years. The nearest source is several kilometers away, and when young women take long to fetch water, they are often reprimanded by their husbands out of suspicion,” said Kyambi.

She added that once the project is complete, such issues will be a thing of the past as locals will have easy access to water, significantly reducing the time spent fetching it.

Community leader Daniel Katee lauded the project, describing it as a posthumous honor to Musili Mwangangi, who donated his land to make the project a reality. “The Kaya Dam is a dream come true for our community. It will forever honor the late Mwangangi’s selfless contribution to ensuring we have a reliable water source,” said Katee.