Murang’a:Murang’a town is set for a major boost in water supply following the signing of a Sh348.65 million financing agreement to expand infrastructure and address a growing deficit that has left the municipality struggling to meet rising demand.
According to Kenya News Agency, Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (MUWASCO), in partnership with the County Government of Murang’a, secured the financing through a blended funding arrangement involving the Water Sector Trust Fund (WaterFund), Consolidated Bank of Kenya, and the World Bank under the Kenya Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (K-WASH) Programme.
The Kiharu Water Project aims to increase water production, strengthen distribution networks, and extend reliable supplies to underserved areas of Kiharu, particularly Mbiri and Wangu wards. This will involve constructing a water treatment plant with a capacity of 3,000 cubic metres at the Karembu area, drawing raw water from River Mukungai in Wangu Ward, and laying a 16-kilometre water pipeline to improve distribution.
Muwasco Managing Director Engineer Daniel Ng’ang’a explained that the investment would address the gap between water demand and available supply, which has become more pronounced with the growth of Murang’a Municipality. The town currently requires approximately 18,000 cubic metres of water daily, against the 13,000 cubic metres supplied, leaving a shortfall of 5,000 cubic metres.
Once completed, the project is expected to provide a steadier water supply to more than 30,000 residents and extend services to Mbiri and Wangu wards. The project is at the initial procurement stage, with implementation expected to begin in January 2027 and take approximately 12 months.
County Executive Committee Member for Water Engineer Mary Magochi praised Muwasco for securing funding through this innovative arrangement. She highlighted the growing pressure on existing water infrastructure due to population growth and expanding economic activities and expressed the county government’s commitment to improving access to safe and reliable water.
World Bank Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist Pascaline Wanjiku Ndung’u emphasized that the project would not only improve water service delivery but also strengthen the utility’s financial sustainability. The K-WASH Programme, supported by the World Bank, targets 33 water service providers across 19 counties to improve access to water and sanitation services while strengthening the capacity of water utilities.
The signing ceremony was attended by various stakeholders, including Consolidated Bank Chief Executive Officer Dr Dominic Murage and WaterFund Chief Executive Officer Willis Ombai.
