Kenya is implementing a US$21m billion water project to contain the perennial water shortage in Siaya County.
The country’s Water Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa said recently that once the water project which is being undertaken by the Lake Victoria South Water Services Board (LVSWSB), is completed, it will address the problems of water shortage in Siaya and its surroundings.
The minister said the project named ‘Siaya-Bondo Water Supply and Sanitation Project’ is jointly financed by the Kenyan government and the African Development Bank. He said the project is at advanced stages and will be commissioned in due course.
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Lake Victoria South Water Services Board Chief Executive Officer Petronilla Ogut said the project is almost done with 95 per cent of the work already complete.
According to Ms Ogut, the project will provide piped water to about 190,000 people.
“The objective of the water project is to improve the access, quality, availability and sustainability of water and waste water services in the towns of Siaya and Bondo,” she said.
Petronilla pointed out that the pumps of the water project are driven by turbines hence the water service provider will not incur electricity charges during operation.
The CEO further noted that the project will increase the capacity of Sidindi Malanga Water Treatment Works from 7 million litres to 18 million litres daily.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of water Fred Segor said the national government is fully committed to ensuring that the people of Siaya County have access to adequate water and sanitation.
“The government will work collaboratively with the county government of Siaya to realize these rights and contribute to the achievement of the sustainable development goals by the year 2030,” Mr Segor said.
The Principal Secretary announced that the national government is in the process of sourcing for more funds from AFD to undertake water projects in satelight towns such as Sega, Ugunja and Ukwala.
