Ministry of Water statistics show that Kitui county loses 52 percent of water that could be put to better use.
National Water and Irrigation Principal Secretary Dr Kiprono Rono, speaking in Kitui today added that the water could be used for industrial, domestic or irrigation.
The PS spoke when he signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kitui Governor Dr Julius Malombe Dr Ronoh on the Non Revenue Water (NRW) to improve water provision efficiency, services and performance in Kitui.
Governor Malombe said the move by the ministry to reduce water loss will increase the commodity available for use in rural homes, institutions and irrigation among other uses noting it was a milestone towards achieving water sufficiency in the county and beyond.
Dr. Ronoh indicated that the ministry had identified critical water projects to be implemented within Kitui to reduce water shortage.
"We require 50,000m3 of water to address shortages in Kitui from the current 11000m3 available. We'll in the meantime upgrade the Kitui Masinga supply to 18000m3". He said.
The PS added that the ministry will adopt the use of solar power to reduce the costs of management that is currently sh. 10 million monthly in Kitui.
He commmeded efforts to solve the non revenue water loss as progressive noting that the projects will be integrated with the critical water protection infrastructure to stop vandalism in the projects.
On the 100 dams to be done as per the Ministry's Water Master Plan, the PS indicated that the ministry will work on completing Mwingi Kiambere water project, Kitimui dam, Thwake dam the Umaa dam, work on the Kindaruma-Kiomo-Mwingi-Migwani pipeline project from the Kiambere -Mwingi water project among others to curb water scarcity in Kitui.
He further assured of the Ministry's commitment to address water issues in a strategic way to guarantee Kenyans have adequate* and safe water for use.
