A Sh.5 million solar-powered water project by Habitat for Humanity Kenya has provided relief to over 5,000 villagers of Kandutura, Rumuruti, Laikipia County, Kenya.
Rumuruti villagers who spoke with KNA said that the water project has eliminated the need for lengthy trips to acquire the valuable resource.
A local named Eunice Lalapie claimed that the farming along the river had contaminated the water close to Ngarenarok, making her children ill from drinking tainted water.
Our children were impacted by the contaminated water caused by the farming practices of those along the river, according to Lalapie.
She pointed out that in addition to using the clean water for household purposes, they were cultivating with it to make money for their families.
We no longer have to bear the weight of men because our homestead is close to water. We may now engage in vegetable and maize growing. We raise money for women’s organizations and school expenses through farming,” she said to KNA.
However, she also disclosed that the water project has lessened the tension that existed in the past between the local wildlife and humans over the limited water resources.
Beneficiary Silas Lotira of the Kandutura water project stated that the project decreased their time and income requirements for obtaining water. We spent the entire day looking for water; if you leave in the morning, you have to return home at dusk. Over 5,000 people will benefit from this initiative, and we are thankful since it allows us to obtain water whenever we want and engage in other activities,” Lotira said.
Thomas Selman, the chairman of the Kandutura Water Project, disclosed that although they had to pay a hefty sh70 for three jerriccans of water at first, water shortages are now a thing of the past.
