Home / Coast

Taita Taveta county seeks China's help in resolving perennial water scarcity

China ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian and Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime engage on new development areas on Sunday, April 7, 2024. (Photo: Chinese Embassy in Kenya)

By Farhiya Hussein | 08 Apr 2024

Governor Mwadime acknowledged China's significant role in Kenya's development and expressed optimism that this newfound collaboration will help his county progress.

Taita Taveta County has turned to China for assistance in addressing its long-standing water challenges.

The area governor, Andrew Mwadime, on Sunday, April 7, 2024, stated that he had discussed the water menace with the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, Zhou Ping Jian, during the latter’s two-day visit to the county.

Keep reading

Zhou Ping Jian inspected various water sources, including the Njoro Kubwa Springs and Lake Chala in the Taveta sub-county, on Sunday and Monday, April 8, 2024.

While receiving the ambassador, Governor Mwadime added that the visit aims to highlight development issues and how the Asian mainland nation will collaborate with his administration to facilitate development projects for the locals.

“The primary objective of the visit is to explore solutions for distributing water effectively across the county, aiming to alleviate the perennial water scarcity issues faced by the residents,” he stated.

Governor Mwadime acknowledged China's significant role in Kenya's development and expressed optimism that this newfound collaboration will help Taita Taveta County achieve previously elusive progress since the onset of devolution in 2013.

China's Ambassador to Kenya, Zhou Ping Jian, distributes essential food items to 1,200 families in Taita Taveta County on Sunday, April 7, 2024. (Photo:Chinese Embassy in Kenya)

The County Executive Committee Member responsible for water, Grantone Mwandawiro, emphasised the system's potential to inform decisions and ensure fair water distribution.

“The partnership highlights the significance of public-private collaborations in achieving sustainable development goals. As the system progresses, Taita Taveta County sets a precedent for effective water governance and offers lessons for other regions,” Mwandawiro stated.

Njoro Kubwa Springs

The extensive Njoro Kubwa Springs Water initiative led by Taita Taveta Water and Sewerage Company (TAVEVO) is a key component of its decade-long strategy to ensure water security in the county and the wider coastal region by 2032.

TAVEVO aims to ensure every household, residential area, and business establishment has access to sufficient water for their daily needs.

In line with the decade-long strategy, Taita Taveta County, with support from USAID Kenya-STAWI and the MWater platform, recently implemented a digital system to enhance water governance.

By mapping 1,516 water points, the initiative targets improving decision-making, resource allocation, and access to clean water.