Development partners and stakeholders have recommended an increase of funds allocation from the Treasury to the Water Sector Development

Programme in a bid to achieve set targets.

They made recommendation late last week at the end of a two-day joint meeting to review a five-year programme.

The programme's cost stands at $950 million (over Sh12.35 billion) of which, $250 million or about 26 per cent of the budget, will come from the

Government and the balance sourced from development partners.

When implemented fully, about 4 million people in the rural areas would get access to clean water.

Responding to the recommendation, the minister for Water and Irrigation Development, Prof Mark Mwandosya, said his ministry plans to increase its budget next year to meet the programme's financial needs.

"We will fight to boost the next budget in order to contribute more to the programme," said the minister.

He said he was optimistic that the next budget would be higher on the grounds that the Government is keen to implement the 'Kilimo Kwanza' agenda, whose implementation could not be successful without improved irrigation.

On her part, the minister for Regional Administration and Local Governments, Ms Celina Kombami, said the period for the execution of the

programme was too short, necessitating close cooperation between the Government and other stakeholders.

However, Ms Kombani said lack of enough competent staff in the local governments is a big challenge in the implementation of the programme