A Man draws water from the Thange Springs—an underground flow originating from the Chyulu Hills. Photo by Andrew Mbuva. 
By Andrew Mbuva
Residents of Thange Ward in Makueni County are set for long-awaited relief following the launch of a Kshs 13 million Integrated Water Project aimed at ending decades of chronic water shortages and contamination linked to oil spills.
The County Government of Makueni, through its Climate Change Unit, has officially handed over the project site to a contractor, marking the start of construction works under the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) programme.
For more than ten years, communities in Thange Ward have struggled with unreliable and unsafe water sources, a situation that has affected livelihoods, health, and school attendance. County officials say the new project is designed to provide clean, safe and sufficient water throughout the year while building resilience to climate change.
“This project is not just about water; it is about restoring dignity, improving health, and securing livelihoods for our people,” said a county official from the Climate Change Unit during the site handover. “By investing in sustainable water infrastructure, we are addressing both the immediate needs of the community and the long-term impacts of climate change.”
The project will involve the construction of a 100,000-litre water sump and intake, installation of water distribution pipelines, and establishment of four communal water points. In addition, environmental conservation measures will be implemented to protect the fragile riparian ecosystem surrounding the water source.
Water will be drawn from the Thange Springs—an underground flow originating from the Chyulu Hills—providing a clean and uncontaminated supply, free from the oil pollution that has plagued surface water sources in the area.
Once completed in approximately six months, the project is expected to directly benefit at least 730 households in Machinery Town, Moki, Mbulutini, Thange, Kavunye and Ndungi Street. Key institutions, including St. Peters Primary School and St. Peters Secondary School, will also gain reliable access to clean water.
Local leaders and residents welcomed the initiative, terming it a major turning point for the ward. “We have suffered for years, walking long distances for unsafe water,” said a resident of Thange. “This project gives us hope that our children will grow up healthier and our women will be spared the daily burden of searching for water.”
Beyond water access, the project has a strong livelihood and climate resilience component. Community members will be trained in climate-smart agriculture and supported with conical gardens and beehives to enhance food security and create alternative sources of income.
According to county officials, the integrated approach reflects Makueni’s commitment to locally driven climate action. “FLLoCA empowers communities to identify and implement solutions that respond to their unique challenges,” the official noted. “Thange Integrated Water Project is a clear example of development that puts people and the environment at the centre.”
The project is expected to significantly improve living conditions in Thange Ward while setting a model for sustainable, community-led water and climate adaptation initiatives across the county.
