1.2 Billion Ukwala, Sega, Ugunja Water Project Awaits Completion

By Eric Juma

Ukwala, Sega and Ugunja residents targeted by a KES 1.2. Billion Water project will wait a little longer to enjoy the commodity.

Though the water infrastructure has been extended from Ugunja to Ukwala it lacks turbines to pump the water.

Director Water Mr. Henry Juma while addressing Ugunja residents at Rambula during World Water Day appealed to the office of the County commissioner to intervene and follow up the issue with the National government.

“It’s the turbines that has stopped the project from operating. By fixing the turbines, the consumer will not incur electricity bills since it would allow water to flow with gravity once pumped into the main reservoir tank,” said Juma.
“It’s so painful that we have existing water infrastructure that has consumed billon to put up and yet targeted beneficiaries are dependant on water boreholes, streams which sometimes are not clean water,” he added.

Juma who was accompanied by Siaya County Commissioner Susan Waweru, Siaya County Forest Conservator Richard Arunga, Director Environment, Director Environment Gabriel Oduong’ further warned locals against extending their Sand harvesting activity to the project land.

The sentiments were echoed by Ugunja Deputy County Commissioner Benson James Aluodo who told the excavators to either desist from the activity on the project land or face the law.
“The land in which you do your activities was yours but you ceased being the owner the moment you were compensated so vacate it or be ready to face the law for trespass,” he added.

The forest excavator expressed concern over low tree coverage in Siaya and urged locals to embrace tree growing so as to help President Ruto achieve his 15 Billion trees yearly target.

Siaya has a tree target of 15 Million yearly and so far only 160,000 has been planted. Let’s prepare to plant more trees during rainy period.

“Our homes and shambas should have fruit trees and charcoal burning must be reduced,” he added.

The County Commissioner (Waweru) warned women against misusing water especially in brewing changaa and other illicit liquor.
“We have transversed Siaya and established that it’s full of brewing dens and majority of the brewers are women while men are the consumers,” she added.

“Women must now seek for alternative businesses if they don’t want to rot in jail. We shall not tire to deal with consumers and brewers as that is a directive from the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
She warned the public against attacking police officers enforcing law on illicit brew.

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