Vihiga residents set to benefit from Sh2.4 billion Water project

Vihiga, Saturday July 1, 2023

KNA by Maureen Imbayi

Residents of Vihiga County are set to benefit from a Sh2.4 billion water project funded by the government of Kenya in partnership with the Belgian government to curb the problem of water shortage in the area.

Vihiga County has three water clusters one at Kaimosi in Hamisi sub County, the second at Mbale in Sabatia Sub County and the third at Maseno in Luanda Sub County, all producing 15,000 cubic meters of clean and treated water per day to serve the residents.

Speaking during a site visit by the Government Delivery Service (GDS) Friday, Eng. Samuel Onzere from Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency which was implementing the project confirmed that the project was completed on April 1, 2022 and is to be handed over to Amatsi Water Company to manage and maintain the project.

Eng. Onzere said they are however facing a few challenges including old and dilapidated water supply facilities, high cost of electricity which consumes 60% of the total revenue collected, high operation and maintenance cost that consume 40% of the total revenue collected and high cases of waterborne diseases among others.

He however said they need about sh500 million which will ensure that the challenges that are faced are addressed before the president commission the project.

He added that they have also installed solar panels which will help to reduce the cost of pumping water during the day, while electricity will be used at night when there is no sun.

The head of Government Delivery Service, Agnes Odhiambo asked all stakeholders to ensure that water reaches all households through the last mile connectivity since water is a precious commodity that should reach all people.

“Even as Kenya Rural Roads Authority is making and maintaining roads it should not interfere with delivering other services to residents including water by tampering with water pipes on the roads,” said Odhiambo.

She called on all stakeholders offering government services to work in coordination so that one service does not deny residents another service.

She regretted that over 800 households have been disconnected from water supply because of the ongoing Mbihi-Magada road and urged the concerned parties to work in harmony to ensure they restore supply of water to the affected households.

The GDS also inspected the 14 Kilometre Gisambai- Shamakhoho road which, will be completed in four months’ time and the 20km Mago- Mululu road which is at 2% completion.

Present during the field tour were GDU Western Regional Director Sitati Olando, Western Regional Commissioner, Irungu Macharia and the Vihiga County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo.

Courtesy ; K. N. A