President Uhuru Kenyatta again has stated his stand on the issue of Murang’a Water Saga between ,county government of Murang’a and Nairobi.
Speaking during the burial of Joseph Kamaru, President Uhuru Kenyatta insisted on the politicians to keep water out of politics . In the event which was attended by top government officials including the Deputy President , William Ruto and former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga elaborated from his earlier comments regarding the matter saying water should not be politicized.
President Uhuru Kenyatta: Nina uhakika kuwa tutapata suluhu na kila mkenya atapata haki yake
Mabishano ni ya nini kati ya maji ya Murang’a na Nairobi? pic.twitter.com/lEPhEyybCc
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 11, 2018
The event was also attended by Murang’a governor Mwangi Wa Iria who also was the MC of the burial event of Joseph Kamaru, urged the president to speak on the matter and shed in more light. Wa Iria insisted that he will continue fighting for the right of the people of Murang’a which have been exploited for quite a long time by other counties.
Mwangi wa Iria had launched a campaign last weekend dubbed ” Our Water , Our Oil,” which was meant to sensitize the residents of Murang’a to be aware that water in their most precious asset they can use to collect revenues .
“They take our water for free and sell it to Nairobi people. We are demanding our share and will not relent,” Murang’a County Governor, Wa Iria said in a conference yesterday #OurWaterOurOil pic.twitter.com/kUgxAgG4ZI
— Etoo 🇰🇪 (@etooo254) September 29, 2018
This debate which caused a lot of political heat between Governor Mike Sonko of Nairobi had to receive the President intervention to calm down the war of words between the two governors.
The Five Water Companies MUST now come under Murang'a County Government through a 100% shareholding claim as is required of them under the Water Act of 2016,The County Governments Act of 2012 and 4th Schedule of our Constitution for efficient Service delivery.#OurWaterOurOil pic.twitter.com/wMakmlcqfK
— Maragua News (@MaraguaNews) September 29, 2018
Mike Sonko was reported earlier on that he will demolish the buildings which belong to Mwangi Wa Iria that are constructed a long road reserves in Nairobi. Sonko also defended the situation saying that the county of Nairobi has the title deed to Ndakaini Dam. Sonko also added that the county of Nairobi has been using the water for quite a while now.
Wa Iria responded to this issue by daring governor Sonko to go ahead and demolish the buildings which he thinks have been constructed on road reserves.
— Gov Mwangi Wa Iria (@MwangiWaIria) October 9, 2018
Governor Wa Iria in support from other leaders from the county supported the call for the county of Murang’a requesting other counties which benefit from the water to pay some amount of money to continue receiving water supply.
This campaign has driven Mwangi Wa Iria to launch his campaign for referendum which is aimed at sharing of natural resources between counties.
President Uhuru Kenyatta at Joseph Kamaru's funeral
"…Nimemwambia William kuna maneno ambayo yametajwa na naona kuna yale yatamzuilia huo mlango utafungwa…na yeye akasema pia kula yale amesikia na yanaweza kunifungia mlango…" ~ President Kenyatta pic.twitter.com/s0r4gxOmBc
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 11, 2018
The President told the two leaders to remain calm as a solution will be found considering the issue which is at the moment affecting the two countries.
He also urged other leaders to focus on matters of helping the government achieve its Big Four Agenda .