Africa-Press – Kenya. The Kakamega government has helped 6,400 households in rural areas access clean and safe drinking water.
This has been undertaken through Governor Fernandes Barasa’s programme ‘Amatsi Khumuliango’, which means ‘water at your doorstep’.
The programme has improved water access to 74 per cent in the county from 62 per cent in 2022, with a target set to increase accessibility to more than 90 per cent by 2027.
Environment, water, natural resources and climate change executive Peninah Mukabane said the county needs at least Sh5 billion for all residents to get water.
“When you consider our annual budget, we are not able to meet the Sh5 billion in five years, so the national government through the Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency, has come up with several projects that will help us to provide water to our people,” she noted.
Mukabane said despite financial constraints, the county government has identified partners who have heeded the governor’s clarion call to extend water access to communities and schools through drilling of boreholes and protection of springs.
“There are major investments in water infrastructure being done by the Ministry of Water and Sanitation and various partners like USAID Western Kenya Water Project, Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency, The Water Project, Western Water Sanitation Forum and the Believers Revival Mission,” she said.
The Water Project, a non-governmental Organisation in Western Kenya, has drilled 33 boreholes in schools and communities in Kakamega. It is also protecting and maintaining springs in the county.
Believers Revival Mission has supported the county government by drilling 36 community boreholes.
“These partners are constructing boreholes and installing hand pumps. As the county government, we will further instal hybrid electrical pumps and we will also instal solar panels so people can get water for 24 hours,” Mukabane said.
The official said when a borehole has been drilled at a school, the county government constructs a water kiosk nearby for community members to get tap water.
She said the county government is enhancing budgetary allocation and partnering with USAID Western Kenya Water Project to scale up last mile connectivity in Kakamega town, Mumias town, Navakholo Lwakhupa and in Likuyani Lumino Water Project.
Several other projects are targeted projects in the last mile water connectivity in the county.
“We also have the USAID Boresha Jamii who are helping us on matters of sanitation. You know when we are talking about Amatsi Khumuliango, we are ensuring sustainability for the future generation and looking at sanitation and sewerage,” Mukabane said.
She decried destruction of water pipes during road construction and increasing theft of solar pumps, water pumps and other equipment.
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