More than 100,000 Bungoma residents are set to benefit from a multimillion-shilling water project courtesy of the Korea International Cooperation Agency.
The project will see the laying of some 46.3km supply pipeline, the erection of a water treatment plant of 4000m3 per day, five service tanks and 25 water collection kiosks across Mt Elgon, Kabuchai and Kanduyi, serving a population of about 100,000 people.
Estimated at Sh600 million, the project was earmarked to run from 2018 to 2022 but stalled because of the outbreak of Covid-19.
Speaking during the launch, South Korean Ambassador Yeonghan Choi said the project aims to enhance the relationship between Kenya and Korea, by helping residents access clean water and improving lives.
“This project will ensure a constant supply of clean water for residents because water accessibility is key to our daily lives,” he said.
Governor Wycliffe Wangamati said the project will end frequent water shortages that have hit the county in recent days.
“We are happy to launch this massive water project that will end water shortages in Bungoma,” Wangmati said.
He added the project had been delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Water Sanitation and Irrigation CAS Andrew Tuimur said the Korean government has done projects worth Sh2.4 billion that have improved the lives of many Kenyans.
The project is aimed at improving the overall state of sanitation and hygiene by increasing water supply and access and reducing the walking distance to collection points in Bungoma.
Specifically, the KOICA II will involve a detailed design and construction of a water supply system from Chepyuk to Kibabii complex covering Chepyuk, Kapkateny, Mukuyuni, Chwele/Kabuchai and Tuuti Marakaru wards of Mt Elgon, Kabuchai and Kanduyi.
The grant also involves developing a county water supply master plan, which is complete. The master plan identifies a robust, flexible water sources development strategy that ensures the security of supply to areas within Bungoma county, and meets the expected growth in water demands over the next 25 years from 2020 to 2045.
KOICA I was completed and commissioned in October 2018 and is currently operational. Its scope of works involved the construction of a water supply system starting with a unit of 2,000 m3/day.
The project area covers Kapkateny, Mukuyuni, Chwele/Kabuchai and West Nalondo wards of Mt Elgon and Kabuchai.
The constructed infrastructure under KOICA I includes an intake structure in the Kuywa River at elevation 1832.5 masl. The structure makes consideration and provisions for water demands up to the ultimate year of 2035.
A provision is provided in the intake structure for future collection of an additional raw water main.
-Edited by SKanyara
