Residents of Katine area in Matungulu sub-county of Machakos county have urged the county government to pay the electricity bill for the borehole at Katine HGM primary school.

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The electricity was disconnected six months ago due to an escalating bill of Sh74,419.

In an interview with some of the residents who benefit from the borehole, they told of their suffering of being forced to walk for long in search of water.

"It has been six months now since the electricity that helped in the pumping was disconnected. We are going through a lot of trouble to access water," said Munini Mwau, a local.

John Bosco Kaseu, another local said that there is need for the borehole to be functional so that the school and locals can benefit.

"There is water in the borehole but we are not benefitting at all yet tax payer's money was used in the project," he said.

Susan Mueni said that the project that was commissioned by governor Alfred Mutua in 2015 has been offering them water but they are now forced to dig in their pockets to acquire water which is costly.

A parent at the school Sammy Kiilu said that if the bill is paid, the county government should install solar panels instead of using electricity.

His sentiments were supported by area Member of Parliament Stephen Mule who said that since the project was done by the county government, they should ensure it's rehabilitation.

"Machakos county government, you have the money for water, either pay the electricity bills and install solar panels that will help in pumping the water because the sun is free of charge. This is not a request but a demand we won't be giving you money which we don't see it's work," Mule said.

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