Tana River County Senator, Danson Mungatana has attributed the water scarcity problem in the county to misappropriation of funds by the County government which has led to increased tendency in drought hazards in the region leaving residents struggling to access clean and safe water.
The Senator claims Tana River Water and Sewerage Company (TAWASCO) which is responsible for providing clean water and sanitation services to residents within Tana River County is underfunded by the county government with little to no investment despite the ksh 8 billion allocated by the National government to Tana River in the last financial year. Speaking during Breakfast 47 on Radio 47, Wednesday morning, Mungatana said this menace has left residents depending on a colonial era water plant that has outlived its usefulness
“We made a request through the national government to be included in the World Bank program aimed at improving water supply. However, the release of funds is contingent upon certain requirements being met by the county government and TAWASCO, requirements which unfortunately, they failed to fulfill,” claimed Mungatana.
“When a development partner like the World Bank considers releasing funds, they assess several factors including staff deployment, financial records, and other key requirements. Unfortunately, TAWASCO has not fulfilled these obligations, which is why we are now facing serious challenges in water management across Tana River including water shortages in our homes,” he added.
Asked about what flagship project under county government that Tana River residents can be proud of, the Senator claimed there is hardly anything to smile about as he citied the governor’s ongoing rift with Members of County Assembly to have taken precedence over key sectors like health and education.
“Nowadays when you go to a dispensary or health center and you’re referred to Hola which is our referral hospital, they end up sending you back to where you came from, and it’s become embarrassing of a referral hospital” said Mungatana
A few weeks ago the Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation chaired by Tharaka Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya issued a stern warning to Tana River governor Dhadho Godhana after he deliberately avoided a scheduled meeting with the Senators despite receiving official communication about the engagement nearly a month in advance. The committee chair termed this act by governor Godhana a suspicious and deliberate attempt to obstruct accountability.
