Water shortage in Homa Bay town set to be addressed

Homa Bay,

Friday, September 15, 2023

KNA by Davis Langat

The perennial water shortage which has persisted in various parts of Homa Bay town is set to be addressed following the implementation of a new distribution network.

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga said the project would increase the town supply by an additional 1 million litres per day.

She said the project involves the installation of water pipes adding that the project was part of the Sh1.4 billion Homa Bay Water Cluster project.

The new project of installing the pipes will now boost water supply from the current 4 million litres to 5 million litres per day.

The work is being undertaken by Homa Bay County Water and Sanitation Company (HOMAWASCO) in partnership with a Netherlands-based Water Company known as Dunea Duin & Water.

Wanga said the project was expected to relieve residents of Makongeni, Got Raburo, Kapita and Rang’wena who have been lacking clean water.

The Governor and the Chief Executive Officer of Dunea Duin & Water Wim Drossaert and HOMAWASCO Managing Director Dan Oketch toured the construction of the works Thursday.

Wanga said the construction work was expected to be completed by the end of next month and mark an end to the perennial water shortage which had afflicted many residents of the town.

“Residents of Kapita, Makongeni, Got Rabuor and Rang’wena have lacked water for many years. We expect construction of this project to end by the end next month and this will solve the perennial water shortage which has affected them,” Wanga said.

The Governor expressed concerns over illegal water connections denying the company revenue and urged Homa Bay residents to pay their water bills promptly to enable the company to boost the level of water supply in the county.

“I want to tell the people of Homa Bay to pay water bills. This will enable the county government to get revenue for maintaining water supply,” Wanga said.

Drossaert said their objective is to enable Homa Bay residents to get a reliable water supply. “We are trying our best to ensure Homa Bay residents get adequate water through this programme,” Drossaert said.

Oketch said the project would bridge the gap in water supply in Homa Bay town and its environs.

“We are supposed to supply 8.8 million litres of water per day but we are producing only 4 million litres due to certain challenges. Increasing the water supply with 1 million litres will bridge the gap hence more residents will get clean water,” Oketch said. 

Courtesy; KNA