Muthetheni Health Centre gets storage tanks, automated pumps to solve water scarcity

citizen
By citizen July 30, 2025 12:52 (EAT)
Muthetheni Health Centre gets storage tanks, automated pumps to solve water scarcity
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Muthetheni Health Centre, in Mwala, Machakos County has received a major boost after Swiss firm SICPA installed a rainwater harvesting system to address chronic water shortages. 

The project, officially handed over to the community on Thursday, includes two 10,000-litre storage tanks, an automated electric pump, and hot water showers.

For years, the health centre struggled with inconsistent water access, forcing staff to rely on vendors or patients' families to bring water in jerricans. 

The scarcity compromised basic medical services, including maternal care, sterilization of equipment, and hygiene practices. The facility handles three to four births weekly and treats dozens of patients for common illnesses, making water access critical for safe healthcare delivery.

Local officials and residents attended the handover ceremony, celebrating the upgrade as a transformative step for the community. 

County health officials praised the intervention, noting that reliable water access will allow medical staff to focus on patient care rather than logistical challenges.

Community leaders are now exploring similar rainwater harvesting models for schools and churches, while residents have pledged to maintain the new infrastructure. 

Though the system won’t eliminate drought, it marks a significant improvement in health outcomes and quality of life for Muthetheni’s population.


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