More than 1,000 households in Chakama Location, Kilifi County, are set to benefit from improved access to clean and reliable water following the commissioning of the Kathama Bofu Solar-Powered Booster Pump, Pump House and Solar Panel System.
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro officially commissioned the project on Thursday at Kathama Centre, describing it as a major step towards addressing years of water shortages that have affected communities in the area.
The project, which is powered entirely by solar energy, is expected to reduce the cost of water supply by eliminating dependence on fuel and expensive electricity while promoting a more sustainable water system.
The first water supply route will serve Kathama, Chakama-Kibora, Raukani, Zowerani, Chaurungu, Binzaro, Bofu and Bamako, while a second route will extend the supply to Shakahola, bringing water closer to homes, schools and health facilities.
For residents who have for years travelled long distances in search of water, the project is expected to ease the burden and create more time for other productive activities.
Governor Mung’aro said improved access to water would have a direct impact on education, livelihoods and household incomes, particularly for women and children who often bear the responsibility of fetching water.
“For our people, this means more than water. It means less time spent walking in search of it, more time for children in school, greater opportunities for women, and support for farming, livestock and household incomes,” he said.
The Governor also inspected the Binzaro Water Pan, which supports both domestic and agricultural activities in the area.
He said the county government would continue investing in the protection, desilting and maintenance of critical water sources as part of broader efforts to strengthen food and water security.
Mung’aro reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding sustainable water solutions across Kilifi County, saying the goal was to ensure that even communities in remote areas are not left behind.
He thanked the county’s Water Department, development partners and the Chakama community for supporting the project and called on residents to take ownership of the infrastructure and protect it for future generations.
The Kathama Bofu project is part of Kilifi County’s wider efforts to improve water access through sustainable and climate-friendly solutions, particularly in areas that have faced persistent water shortages.
