Governor Anne Waiguru (centre) during the launch of Mwea bulk water project on May 11, 2026 /ALICE WAITHERA
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has launched a Sh200 million bulk water project in Mwea targeting improved clean water access for 30,000 households across eight wards.
The Mwea integrated water supply rehabilitation and expansion project will involve construction of more than 57km of pipeline network targeting residents in Gathigiriri, Tebere, Thiba, Mutithi, Wamumu, Murinduko, Nyangati and Kangai wards.
Waiguru said the investment is meant to improve access to reliable and safe water while opening up opportunities for agriculture, livestock farming and small businesses in the region.
She was speaking during the launch of the project in Mutithi.
“We are investing in infrastructure that directly improves the lives of our people by ensuring families have access to clean water and creating an environment where businesses and farming activities can thrive,” the governor said.
The project will draw water from Kiringa and Thiba rivers before being treated at the Muratiri Water Treatment Works, which has a production capacity of 30,000 cubic metres per day.
The water will then be distributed through a gravity-based system supplying towns such as Kerugoya, Kutus, Kagio, Kandongu and Sagana.
The project also includes pipeline extensions aimed at taking water closer to households. A bulk line from Kutus to Kimbimbi will serve Gathigiriri, Tebere and Thiba wards, while another line from Kandongu to Mutithi will benefit residents of Mutithi and Wamumu.
Additional pipelines will connect homes in Kangai ward as rehabilitation of the Nyamindi Intake boosts supply to upper parts of Mwea.
In Murinduko ward, the Mugaro irrigation water project is expected to support about 2,700 farmers through improved access to irrigation water for food production and commercial farming activities.
The new investments are expected to ease pressure on water systems, improve hygiene standards in trading centres and schools and reduce the long distance travel in search of water, especially during dry seasons in parts of Mwea.
The governor also inspected a three-acre parcel of land set aside for construction of Wang’uru market phase 2, which will be implemented jointly by the county and national governments.
The proposed market is expected to directly benefit about 1,500 traders from Wang’uru and neighbouring Tebere, Thiba and Nyangati wards.
The facility will include organised trading spaces, ICT hubs with free Wi-Fi, salons, clothing stalls, nail spas and a crèche, alongside improved sanitation, drainage, electricity and water systems.
“We completed Wang’uru market phase 1 and residents asked us to return for phase 2 because the demand for trading space has continued growing. This expansion will create a modern business environment for our traders.”
The governor said the county has already provided land for the project while the national government will finance construction, adding that partnership between the two levels of government remains critical in delivering large development projects.
The county has so far constructed 18 modern markets and secured 12 more through collaboration with the national government, including projects in Kimbimbi, Kiumbu, Kutus, Mukarara, Kagio, Kibingoti and Wamumu.
Tebere MCA Peter Karinga welcomed the projects, saying residents have for years pushed for expansion of Wang’uru market and improved water connectivity in the area.
“People have depended on unsafe water sources for many years but this project will finally ensure families access clean piped water. Residents have waited for this moment for a long time,” Mutithi MCA Jinaro Njamumosaid.
Mutithi resident Peter Mutugi recalled stalled water projects dating back to 2011, saying residents are now witnessing progress after years of waiting for reliable water supply infrastructure.
Kirinyaga Central MP and gubernatorial aspirant Gachoki Gitari also backed the projects and reaffirmed support for President William Ruto’s administration, saying cooperation between leaders was key in accelerating development projects in the county.
“We are seeing projects that directly touch the lives of people and that is why leaders must continue working together to deliver more development to the people,” Gitari said.
The Mwea integrated water supply rehabilitation and expansion project will involve construction of over 57km of pipeline network targeting residents in Gathigiriri, Tebere, Thiba, Mutithi, Wamumu, Murinduko, Nyangati and Kangai wards.The county is also expanding Wang'uru market to benefit an extra 15,000 traders and include include stalls, ICT hubs with free Wi-Fi, salons, clothing stalls, nail spas and a crèche.
