Yatta MP Francis Mwangangi has launched the reconstruction of Yatta canal that was originally constructed in the 1950’s.
The MP has says that on completion, more than 74,000 families will benefit from water access for domestic consumption and irrigation in the dry area that faces long periods of drought.
“This is going to be the best irrigation base in the near future; the recurrent water shortage here will also be a thing of the past,” said Mwangangi.
The project which was commissioned by the Deputy President William Ruto in August and being funded by the African Development Bank at a cost of 2.2 billion shillings will take eight months to complete.
During the commissioning, the deputy president said that the canal will help in urbanising the region and also asked the Tana Athi Water Services Board that is going to oversee the implementation of the project to ensure that required infrastructures are put in place in the neighbouring towns.
“Bearing in mind that this canal will cover the three surrounding townships of Ndalani, Kithimani and Matuu townships, it is good to lay down the necessary infrastructures in place so that we can also see ways to benefit the populations in this towns with sewerage facilities,” Ruto said.
More than a thousand youths will benefit from jobs from the reconstruction exercise in the next eight months and also increasing agricultural revenues.