Kilifi County, in partnership with the World Bank, is implementing Sh2.58 billion water reticulation projects, according to Governor Gideon Mung’aro.
The Governor stated that his administration, with the support of the international lender, was undertaking significant water projects in Malindi, Kilifi, and Mtwapa towns in a bid to enhance water reticulation by installing new pipelines to replace old ones.
“We have invested Sh580 million through the World Bank here in Kilifi town, Sh1.2 billion in Malindi, and Sh800 million in Mtwapa for water reticulation,” he said.
Governor Mungáro said that his administration was constructing a Sh200 million, 5 million-litre water tank in Mtepeni ward and another 2.5 million-litre water tank in Buni, Rabai, at a cost of about Sh90 million while a 32-kilometre pipeline was being laid within Kilifi town.
“We are doing this so that even during water rationing, people will continue to have water from the storage facilities. For instance, if we ration water for four days per week, the five million-litre water tank will be able to supply water for the remaining days,” he explained.
Mung’aro spoke in Kilifi town while responding to allegations that a Sh19 million water project he commissioned on December 23, 2024, in Chamari village, Magarini constituency, had run dry, allegations he refuted.
Last week, a section of the media quoted people claiming to be Chamari residents as saying that the area had received water for only two days after the commissioning ceremony before the taps ran dry.
The governor, however, clarified that water was available on certain days due to an ongoing rationing programme run by the Coast Water Works Development Agency.
Governor Mung’aro also mentioned that his administration had initiated a Sh50 million water project in Garashi to improve water pumping to the area, as the area currently receives water from the Baricho Water Works in Langobaya division, Malindi Sub County.
By Emmanuel Masha