Kisumu residents to benefit from Sh10.3b water, sanitation plan
By Kepher Otieno, March 15, 2024The government and international partners have teamed up to finance water projects targeting informal settlements and rural areas in Kisumu County at an estimated cost of €70 million (Sh10.28 billion).
The Business hub, established that the programme is to be co-financed by French Development Agency (AFD), European Investment Bank (EIB), European Union (EU) and the Government of Kenya. The water projects are being implemented by the Ministry of Water Sanitation and Irrigation through Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation (LVWATSAN), a subsidiary of Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency.
According to the Chief executive Jackline Kemunto, the aim of the agency is to improve access to safe water and sanitation, which are essential for unlocking economic growth and productivity.
“This will provide significant leverage for existing investments in health and business segments among others,” she said. The plan to ensure increased safe and clean water provision comes at a time when most Kisumu residents are facing an acute shortage of water supplies.
Today, the lakeside city faces a huge challenge to cope with increased demand for improved water and sanitation services. Off late, the county has witnessed rapid population growth, being the regional commercial and transport hub in Western Kenya. Despite being so near to the second largest freshwater lake in the world, almost 60 per cent of the surrounding communities face water crisis.
Consequently, the LVWATSAN programme has been launched to address emerging gaps in water and sanitation services. The aim is to trend towards realisation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Kisumu.
The objective of the water programme is to rehabilitate and extend the water supply system within Kisumu city and other satellite towns.
The towns are Maseno, Darajambili and Kiboswa; and expand sanitation facilities to mitigate pollution of the environment.
Kemunto disclosed during the launch of the water supplies in Korando village, that the programme aims to increase access to water supply within Kisumu City to at least 90 per cent of the population. This translates to about 650,000 people who live in Kisumu city alone.
Over the years, water shortages have affected food security and the incomes of rural farmers.
“Improving water management will make agriculture and food sectors more resilient to rainfall variability,’’ said Paul Agwanda, LVWATSAN Senior project Manager.
This, he said, would fulfil the needs of growing population., protect and restore water-related ecosystems and their biodiversity as well as ensure water purification and water quality standards.
– Kepher Otieno