News

Kiambu county embarks on river cleaning exercise as water shortage bites

Saturday, March 4th, 2023 13:41 | By
Kiambu County government members of staff doing a clean-up of Ruiru town. PHOTO/Oliver Musembi

The Kiambu County government has embarked on an exercise to clean up river pollutants ahead of the rains.

The exercise comes amid concerns about over-drying rivers caused by environmental degradation and shortage of rains, among other factors.

Environmentalists have also raised an alarm over the resurgence of plastic waste which has been clogging rivers and other sources of water.

Speaking in Ruiru during the launch of the ‘Kiambu County Cleaning Day’ event which will be held every month in all the 60 wards, Agriculture, Livestock and Co-operatives County Executive Committee (CEC) member Wilfred Kiara asked members of the public to cooperate in ensuring a clean environment.

Kiara, accompanied by Ruiru Juja Water and Sewerage Company (RUJWASCO) managing director Simon Mwangi, led county members of staff in clearing water drainages in Ruiru town, Mwihoko, Githurai and Kahawa areas.

The declining water levels in our rivers, the CEC member added, have been complicated by the discharge of solid waste into these sources of the crucial commodity, often leading to the outbreak of water-borne diseases.

Mwangi said the water distribution company was currently experiencing a serious shortage crisis after its rivers ran dry as a result of a prolonged drought and appealed to consumers to use water sparingly.

"Due to the prevailing situation, we have been forced to introduce water rationing measures and are asking our clients to avoid unnecessary wastage of the commodity," said Mwangi.

Okoth Oloo, the Ruiru Environment department officer said the resurgence of plastic waste is a big headache for conservation efforts and asked residents to embrace recycling methods.

More on News


ADVERTISEMENT