Joy and relief filled Mutomo Market today as Kitui Governor Dr. Julius Malombe, in partnership with World Vision Kenya, officially commissioned the Kshs. 840 million River Athi–Kangu Kangu–Mutomo–Ikutha–Kanziko–Mathima Water Project. For residents of Mutomo and neighbouring areas, the launch marked the end of a long and difficult struggle for access to clean and safe water — a journey that has tested their resilience for decades.
The mega project, first conceptualized in 2014, boasts a 224-kilometre pipeline, 13 storage tanks, and 52 water kiosks, designed to serve over 100,000 people across Kitui South and parts of Kitui Rural. Funded jointly by the County Government of Kitui and World Vision Kenya, the initiative is a beacon of hope for households, schools, and health facilities that have long depended on unreliable seasonal rivers and distant boreholes.
Speaking during the event, Governor Malombe hailed the project as a landmark achievement that aligns with his administration’s commitment to provide universal access to water within a two-kilometre radius. “This project directly fulfills our promise to make clean water available to every Kitui household. It is a game-changer for our people’s health, dignity, and development,” he said. The governor further highlighted other ongoing water initiatives, including borehole drilling and dam construction, aimed at securing long-term water resilience.
Residents of Mutomo could not hide their gratitude, recalling years of trekking long distances in search of water. “We used to wake up before dawn to fetch water several kilometres away,” said one resident. “Today, that struggle is over.” The project will be managed by the Kitui Water and Sanitation Company (KITWASCO) to ensure sustainability. Governor Malombe, however, cautioned against vandalism and urged communities to protect the vital infrastructure, reaffirming his government’s resolve to replicate similar schemes in Kitui East and beyond.
Pictorial!
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