National Water Harvesting & Storage Authority (NWHSA) has initiated talks with the county government of Vihiga on areas of collaboration in water development in the county.
NWHSA’s Chairman Rev. Dr. Samuel Thiong’o highlighted the mandate of the Authority in undertaking on behalf of the national government, the development of national public water works for water resources storage and flood control. He added that the Authority has developed and supported social and economic well-being of Kenyans through improved access, availability and reliability of water supply in the country.
The Governor of Vihiga County H.E. Dr. Wilber Ottichilo noted that the county is food insecure due to reliance on rain-fed agriculture hence the need to re-engineer the agriculture system through irrigation. This can only be achieved through provision of water through water infrastructure such as small dams and pans.
The Ag. Chief Executive Officer CS. Sharon Obonyo assured the Governor and his team of the Authority’s rich expertise and resources to deliver quality projects adding the county has the potential to bridge the gap between demand and supply of water that is yet to be fully exploited.
Governor Ottichilo was accompanied by the CEC, Ministry of Water Dr. Nicholas Mwandihi, Chief of staff Mr. Leonard Soita and Director of Communication Mr. Francis Matika.
The management team from the Authority attended the meeting. They were led by the Ag. Chief Executive Officer CS. Sharon Obonyo, General Manager Finance CPA Patrick Ataro, the technical team Eng. David Gitau and Duncan Ondulo, Manager, Resource mobilization Mr. George Nyabicha and the Legal Officer CS. Doris Mwangi.