Kisumu is set for a major transformation in water and sanitation infrastructure, following a landmark Ksh10.6 billion investment under the Lake Victoria West Water and Sanitation (LVWATSAN) program.

But even as the county gears up for change, community resistance in Otonglo threatens to derail key components of the ambitious project.

Funded through a multi-agency partnership and implemented by the Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company (KIWASCO), the LVWATSAN program promises to connect an additional 25,000 households to clean water and 1,700 homes to the sewerage system. The City of Kisumu will oversee the funds.

“This is not just a project; it’s a lifeline for thousands. Access to safe water and proper sanitation is a fundamental human right. Kisumu deserves nothing less,” Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o said on his X account on Friday, July 25, 2025.

The program also prioritises improved services in key urban areas, including 4,968 affordable housing units across Lumumba, Makasembo, and the upcoming Lake Victoria Marina in Otonglo.

However, a key component of constructing a Sewerage Treatment Plant in Otonglo has hit a snag.

“Community resistance has unfortunately delayed crucial feasibility studies,” the governor confirmed, expressing concern that the delays could stall broader progress.

“We must work together to resolve this impasse. The plant is essential for the future sustainability of Kisumu’s sanitation systems.”

Benefits of the project

The LVWATSAN project includes initiatives to slash water losses to 28 per cent, a step aimed at improving KIWASCO’s financial health and service delivery. Currently, non-revenue water, lost through leaks, illegal connections, or metering inaccuracies, remains a major challenge.

In a boost to ongoing efforts, Eric Murithi Mugaa, Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, officially handed over a jet flush truck and specialised equipment for reducing non-revenue water to KIWASCO.

 “This equipment is not symbolic; it’s strategic. It will help us detect and address inefficiencies in our system,” the statement read.

With the growing demand in Kisumu City and its surrounding areas, such as Maseno, the pressure is now on local leaders and the community to find a consensus and keep the project on track.

“Water is the next frontier of development. We cannot afford to let misinformation or fear stand in the way,” Nyong’o said.