The County Government of Kirinyaga has commenced the laying of underground high-density water pipes under a KSh100 million project aimed at supplying clean domestic water to more than 30,000 households in Mwea Sub-County.
The flagship Phase One project targets eight wards and is expected to significantly improve access to reticulated water while addressing long-standing shortages across the region.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru said the initiative marks a major milestone in closing water coverage gaps in Mwea.
“I have allocated KSh100 million to improve access to clean, reticulated water for Phase 1 of the Mwea bulk water supply project,” Waiguru said.
Expansion of bulk water pipelines across eight wards
Works are already underway to extend the Kandongu–Mutithi bulk water pipeline to serve villages in Mutithi and Wamumu wards. Rehabilitation of the Nyamindi intake is also ongoing to service parts of Nyangati, Gathigiriri, Tebere and Thiba wards.
Additionally, extension of the Kutus–Kimbimbi bulk water main pipeline and feeder lines to Gathigiriri, Tebere and Thiba wards is set to commence, while Murinduko ward will benefit from completion of the Mugaru water project. Kangai Ward will be served through extension of existing lines to Kombuini, Kangai and Karii areas.
Waiguru described the project as transformative.
“Once the project is completed, it will bring the percentage of residents with clean access to water to 78% in the county. Supply of clean water in the villages across the eight wards will help in reducing the burden of waterborne diseases caused through consumption from unsafe sources,” she said.
Boost to public health and economic stability
The Governor said the project will significantly improve public health outcomes and economic stability in the region.
“Investment in water infrastructure and climate-resilient systems is not just about pipes and boreholes; it’s about dignity, health and opportunity,” Waiguru said. “By expanding access to clean water and empowering our communities to lead environmental action, we are laying the foundation for a greener, fairer and more prosperous Kirinyaga.”
County Executive Committee Member for Environment, Energy, Climate Change, Natural Resources, Water and Irrigation, James Mutugi, underscored the scale of the project during an inspection tour.
“We are delighted that this project has commenced. It will ensure that all the people of Mwea get clean reticulated water. The areas have had no piped water and this will have a very big impact to the people in terms of health,” Mutugi said.
He explained that the initiative consists of five key components, including extension of the Kandongu–Mutithi and Kutus–Nyangati–Kimbimbi pipelines, rehabilitation of the Nyamindi intake and supply of pipes and fittings.
“It is also aimed at increasing the water volume along the Mwea–Makima water project so that once the main works are done, the people of Mwea are going to get more clean water volumes,” Mutugi added.
In the long term, he said the county targets to improve access to clean water for over 100,000 households.
“When people are supplied with clean reticulated water, we are guaranteed of a serious reduction in waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid, all which are related to consumption of water from contaminated sources,” he noted.
Residents welcome ‘Life-Changing’ project
Residents in the affected wards have welcomed the development, describing it as long overdue.
Lilian Wanjiku said the project would spare families from relying on unsafe water sources.
“Previously, we have been using water from wells and the canal, which is usually very dirty and full of impurities and this would make people sick. We thank Governor Anne Waiguru for keeping her word and bringing us this project,” she said.
Ndegwa Ikubu, a resident of Mugaa village in Mutithi ward, said the community had waited years for piped water.
“We have waited for this project for many years, but we are elated to finally have piped water. This will have great impact to us as we will not consume untreated water from canals again. We had become used to waterborne diseases like bilharzia, amoeba and typhoid,” he said.
Peterson Njuguna described the initiative as historic.
“Ever since I was born here, I have never seen piped water in our homes. This project is life-changing,” he said.
The county government maintains that the project is part of a broader strategy to enhance climate resilience, dignity and equitable development across Kirinyaga.
