The Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Hon. Alice Wahome appeared before the House to respond to questions by Members on Wednesday afternoon.

Hon. Wahome informed the House that the Government will spend Kshs.1.2 billion to construct a mega water project in Bura constituency to cushion residents from the perennial shortage of the commodity. She added that the project will be  set up at Madogo area which, according to a study, has the potential to supply water to residents.

"National Government has done feasibility studies and identified Madogo as the only potential source of potable water for Bangale and the nearby villages. The detailed designs have been completed and the new project will benefit approximately 40,000 people along the pipeline corridor and Bangale town at an estimated cost of Ksh. 1.2 billion," she explained. 

Hon Wahome was responding to a question raised by Hon. Ali Wario (Bura) on measures the Government had put in place to curb persistent water shortage in the area.

"Considering that the residents of Bangale Ward, Bura Constituency are undertaking water tracking from Garissa town, which is approximately 100km away, could the Cabinet Secretary state the plans that the Ministry has instituted towards supporting this noble project by providing water bowsers and fuel to ensure that the water trucking is a success"? Hon. Wario asked.

In her response the CS noted that Bangale and its environs are not feasible for water pans due to the extreme weather conditions, and ground water has very high salinity levels for domestic and livestock consumption. 

"The nearby villages also have poor groundwater potential. Water trucking is not sustainable because Madogo is approximately 60km and Garissa is approximately 100km from Bangale," said the CS.