The Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA) has come up with its 2023–2027 Strategic Plan, steering a bold five-year program to widen the reach of clean water supply and sanitation facilities not only in Nairobi and Kiambu but also in Murang’a and other adjacent areas.
This plan w,hich amounts fotoES 206 billion i,s aimed at financing the major projects such as Thiririka Dam Water Supply Project, Maragua 4 Dam, Northern Collector Tunnel II, and the Nairobi Satellite Towns Water and Sanitation Improvement Project (NATWASIP).
It is anticipated that the projects will be the major water sources with a total daily storage capacity of 461,000 cubic meters and contribute up to 318,500 cubic meters of water treatment per day.
In theToame extent, the construction of over 443 kilomekilometresansmission pipelines and 880 kilomekilometreswer networks will take poccur would narrow the water supply-demand gap in the area significantly and enable a smoother sanitation system.
According to the agency, these interventions will reduce the spread of waterborne diseases through pollution-free water, hence promoting public health, improving productivity, and creating new opportunities for businesses and industries that are reliant on a clean water supply.
Whilst at the launch, Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eng. Eric Murithi Mugaa qualified the scheme as a fundamental plan for the developmencountry’s developmentng run.
“Through these projects, we are able to canrgets of universal water supply, and sanitation by 2030 as stipulated in Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. The scale of socio-economic benefits gained from healthier families, thriving businesses, and stronger local economies is endless,” he added.
By echoing the sentiment of the strategic plan as a socio-economic transformation instrument, AWWDA Chief Executive Officer Eng. Joseph Kamau said:
“Water is not only for the use of human beings as it forms the backbone of health, education, agriculture, and enterprise. We are not just improving everyday life by ensuring sustainable supply through these projects but also creating a platform for job creation, food security, industrial growth, as well as climate resilience,” he added.
The bulk water operations using the Karimenu II Dam and Northern Collector Tunnel systems that are now delivering over 217 million liters of treated litresdaily to Nairobi and its environs were also inaugurated at the same time.
To enhance financial accountability, AWWDA signed a Service Level Agreement with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), which will oversee bulk water revenue collection.
Board Chairperson Mary Munga put emphasis on the role of governance and accountability as key features of the agency’s mission statement:
“Rapid urbanization, climate churbanisationmited resources are among the issues that pose great difficulties and call for daring and innovative responses.
With firm partnerships and strong oversight, AWWDA is not only delivering one of the basic infrastructures but also injecting dignity, prosperity, and national cohesion through water,” she said.
The funding for the strategic plan will be raised from government allocations, development partners, public-private partnerships, and innovative financing models such as climate funds.
With this strategy, AWWDA is declaring itself the mainstay of the country’s water resources back up and so it will be posibackupcontributing to the welfare of the people as well as the economic growth.