Hundreds of households in Makuyu and Kambiti wards are set to benefit from improved access to clean and reliable water following the commissioning of the Mugira Dam Water Project in Maragua Constituency.

The project, commissioned by Murang’a Governor Dr.Irungu Kang’ata together with Makuyu MCA Thomas Muteti on Sunday, is part of the county government’s ongoing efforts to expand water infrastructure and improve access to safe water across the county.

Speaking during the exercise, Kang’ata said the project was initiated after residents raised concerns over access to reliable water during a public participation forum held in September 2025.

He said the forum provided an opportunity for the county government to listen to residents’ concerns and identify interventions needed to address water challenges in the area.

Through the project, more than 450 households in Makuyu and Kambiti wards have already been connected to clean piped water by Murang’a South Water and Sanitation Company (MUSWASCO), which is implementing the project.

Kang’ata said additional households would be connected as the project is expanded, noting that the county government was committed to ensuring residents have access to adequate quantities of clean and safe water.

“Access to clean and reliable water is essential to improving the quality of life of our people. We will continue investing in water infrastructure and extending connections to ensure more households benefit,” said Kang’ata.

The project has also been solarised, reducing reliance on electricity and lowering operational costs associated with pumping and distributing water.

The Governor said the use of solar energy would make the project more sustainable, while helping reduce the cost of water operations in the long term.

The Mugira project adds to a range of water interventions being implemented by the county government, including the drilling of boreholes, construction and rehabilitation of water infrastructure, extension of distribution pipelines and promotion of last-mile connectivity.

Kang’ata noted that his administration has been working to increase water coverage, with the county government reporting coverage of about 60 per cent as of March 2024. The county has set a target of achieving universal water coverage by 2027.

He added that increasing water coverage remains a priority for his administration, particularly in areas where households have continued to rely on distant or unreliable water sources.

The governor noted that improved access to water would not only support domestic needs, but also benefit agriculture, livestock keeping and other economic activities undertaken by residents.

“The county government has also allocated resources towards water projects across its 35 wards, including borehole drilling and pipeline extensions to underserved areas,” he added.

The Governor said the government would continue working with communities and water service providers to identify areas requiring additional infrastructure and ensure that completed projects reach as many households as possible.

by Bernard Munyao