The Jubilee government has pledged to supply all public primary schools countrywide with clean water.
Speaking when he attended the Water, Electricity and Power expo at KICC in Nairobi, Water and irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa said the first phase of the project is set to be rolled out once the electricity project is completed.
He announced that clean water will be provided in all schools countrywide so as to reduce diseases caused by dirty water, and to also help improve learning conditions in schools as the move will lead to improved hygienic conditions.
"As per the presidential directive made last month, once we complete connection of power to all schools, we will be embarking on a very ambitious programme of ensuring that we connect our public schools to clean water,” said Wamalwa.
He added, “This is something that will see transformation in the lives of many communities whose lives revolve around our public schools.”
The CS said more than Sh1.5 trillion will be spent on the water project which equals to Sh100 billion in the next fourteen years, against the current water budget of Sh40billion.
"For us to achieve this and based on the national water master plan and sector investment plan prepared in 2014, we need about Sh1.5 trillion between 2016-2030,” said Wamalwa.
He urged residents to ensure they settle their water bills as the sector is heavily indebted.
"Water treatment and distribution is an expensive undertaking that consumers need to appreciate. I therefore request consumers to pay their water bills promptly so we can generate the revenue that is required to meet the cost of maintenance and production of safe water for domestic used,” said the secretary.
He also assured residents in the coastal region using water distributed by the Coast Water Services Board that the water supply will be restored as the board had reached an agreement with their respective counties over the 1billion debt.