World Bank avails Sh2.58 billion for Kilifi water projects
Kilifi County Government, in partnership with the World Bank, is implementing Sh2.58 billion water reticulation projects, according to Governor Gideon Mung’aro.
The Governor stated that his administration, with the support of the international lender, was undertaking significant water projects in Malindi, Kilifi, and Mtwapa towns in a bid to enhance water reticulation by installing new pipelines to replace old ones.
“We have invested Sh580 million through the World Bank here in Kilifi town, Sh1.2 billion in Malindi, and Sh800 million in Mtwapa for water reticulation,” he said.
Governor Mungáro said that his administration was constructing a Sh. 200 million 5 million-litre water tank in Mtepeni ward and another 2.5 million-litre water tank in Buni, Rabai, at a cost of about Sh90 million while a 32-kilometre pipeline was being laid within Kilifi town.
“We are doing this so that even during water rationing, people will continue to have water from the storage facilities. For instance, if we ration water for four days per week, the five million-litre water tank will be able to supply water for the remaining days,” he explained.
Mung’aro spoke in Kilifi town while responding to allegations that a Sh19 million water project he commissioned on December 23, 2024 in Chamari village, Magarini constituency, had run dry, allegations he refuted.
Last week, a section of the media quoted people claiming to be Chamari residents as saying that the area had received water for only two days after the commissioning ceremony before the taps ran dry.
The Governor however clarified that water was available on certain days due to an ongoing rationing programme ran by Coast Water Works Development Agency
“The people of Kilifi like to politicise everything. First, I do not supply water. My role is to set up the necessary infrastructure, which Chamari has not had since independence. This is the first time I am doing so, but water comes from the Coast Water Works Development Agency, which supplies the water,” he said.
Governor Mung’aro also mentioned that his administration had initiated a Sh50 million water project in Garashi to improve water pumping to the area as the area currently received water from the Baricho Water Works in Langobaya division, Malindi Sub County.
Water Executive Member Said Omar dismissed the claims and threatened legal action against the media houses that reported the matter without seeking clarification from the relevant authorities.
Chamari residents, led by chairman of the Waata Community Jacob Kokani, Silas Malibe and Loice Bajila, have since dismissed claims that the taps had run dry and praised the governor for providing tap water, a service they said they had missed since independence.
Ends