Nairobi — The government will build ten large water storage tanks across Kenya to address the water shortage in the country, Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said.

Mr Odinga said that water shortage has become a national concern that requires the government's interventions. "Water is among the key projects that are at the centre of the development programme of the country and as a government we are committed to ensure that the water shortage in the country is adequately addressed," said Mr Odinga.

Mr Odinga said that part of the funds allocated to the ministry of water in this year's budget will be used in the construction of the water tanks.

Concerns

The Prime Minister was responding to the concerns of Bondo residents over the water shortages in the area when he met them at the weekend.

He also said that blocked water drainage systems, which had been filed with soil that accumulated in them over a period of time making the flow of water to stall, had also contributed to the current water shortages. However, he said that the government will service these drainage systems through the Kazi kwa Vijana programme.

Prime Minister also defended the government's delay in implementing some of the election pledges including economic growth. He said that the recent global economic recession had made it difficult for the government to trade effectively in the foreign market.

"The recession also reduced tourism in Kenya. Most Kenyans who usually remit part of their earnings to Kenya also lost their jobs and the country's total income reduced tremendously," said Mr Odinga.

However, the Prime Minister said that the government is currently working on ways of improving the economy.