Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has urged residents to report incidents of water infrastructure vandalism to the appropriate authorities to prevent the misuse of public funds.
During a development tour on Tuesday at Ilima Ward, Kaiti, Mutula revealed that most government projects have cost millions to build, adding that they must be protected.
"In most of these projects, we have spent over Sh10 million to actualize them. We can't allow people to loot public money," Mutula noted.
According to the governor, the cost of vandalized water projects installed with lighting and solar panels has hit Sh52 million.
He noted that his administration has intensified the crackdown on unscrupulous scrap metal dealers, adding that they will not relent in protecting water resources.
Mutula said that residents of Ilima Ward will soon enjoy improved water access as the Kyangati-Wautu Water Project nears completion, with 90 percent of the work already done.
The project is under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Program and features a sand dam, a 17.76 KW solar-powered pumping system, a 100 m³ storage tank, a 2.4 km pipeline network, and two community water points.
Once completed, the project will serve approximately 1,500 households, schools, markets, and churches in the area as part of a countywide effort to enhance water supply.
With the availability of water through sand dams, reservoirs, and boreholes, Mutula expressed confidence that the county's poverty level will drop from its current 35 percent to 29 percent.
"As a county, we have already increased the distribution of clean water from 5 percent to 4 percent, and we are now targeting 2 percent through last-mile distribution by ensuring water reaches every household," he added.
Governor Mutula, accompanied by area MCA Jonathan Muthoka, also visited and inspected the Kiusyi Water Project, which is now 95 percent complete.
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