Sh7.5 billion water project to benefit Kisumu households

Residents of Kisumu are set to benefit from the Sh 7.5 billion water and sanitation project after the completion of the ongoing public participation.

 The multi-billion Kisumu western corridor water and sanitation project is expected to significantly reduce pollution and check waterborne diseases.

 The project being implemented by the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency (LVSWWDA) is jointly funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), European Investment Bank (EIB), European Union (EU), and the Government of Kenya.

The project, which will be constructed at Korando area in Kisumu West subcounty, targets the western corridor of Kisumu city which is underserved. It is projected that it will be built on 4 hectares (10 acres) of land.

Currently, a multi-agency team drawn from LVSWWDA, county government and national government have been undertaking public engagements and technical study ahead of the commissioning of the construction works.

LVSWWDA senior sanitation manager Eng. Daniel Oronje said the sewerage and water expansion programme will address long-standing challenges in water and sanitation in Kisumu.

 The project, he said, will see the water supply pipeline extended by 155km to the rapidly developing satellite towns of Maseno, Otonglo, Kisan, Kisat, and Kiboswa at a cost of Sh.2.1 billion to serve over 120,000 people.

The initiative will also see a new Sh 800 million sewerage treatment plant constructed at Otonglo to collect and treat 8,000m3 of wastewater per day.

Once the project is completed, water supply in Kisumu city will improve from 66 per cent to 90 per cent while sewerage coverage will increase to 40 per cent up from 16per cent.

Besides the treatment plant, extension and rehabilitation of water and sewer networks within Kisumu city will cost Sh 1.2 billion.

Under the project, the Dunga water intake and water treatment plant will be rehabilitated at Sh 1 billion.

The extension of the water and sewer network for the western corridor has been allocated Sh 1.1 billion while the project management, non-revenue water reduction, water and sanitation in informal settlements will cost Sh 1 billion.

The improvement of Kisat wastewater treatment plant and construction of the sanitation facilities such as ablution blocks in satellite towns; Ahero, Muhoroni, Awasi, Katito, Holo, Kiboswa and Kombewa will cost Sh 300 million.

Oronje, who spoke during the public participation meeting at Korando in Kisumu West subcounty, said the agency has commenced a technical study for the project which is expected to be completed in June next year.

“Once we have developed the designs, we shall come back to the people and explain to them what we intend to do before we proceed to the procurement stage,” he said.

The agency was working closely with the Kisumu West Leaders Forum and the community to address all the concerns and ensure the project kicks off within the stipulated time, he said.

Kisumu county water and environment executive Marylene Agwa the project will increase access to water supply within Kisumu city to at least 90 percent of the population of about 650,000 people.

“The project will ensure the water supply is extended to rapidly developing satellite towns in Kisumu," she said.

It will also expand water supply pipelines and construct new wastewater pipeline networks and wastewater plant for the western corridor of Kisumu city to serve more than 120,000 people.

The project, she said, will also help reduce pollution of the environment and Lake Victoria through rehabilitation of the existing waste water treatment infrastructure at Kisat and Nyalenda stabilization pond system.

Agwa said the project will ensure the establishment of water quality and waste water pollution monitoring programs for rivers, streams and Lake Victoria.

The executive appealed to the Korando community to support the project which she said was at the center of transforming Kisumu city.

“We are going to ensure a thorough environmental and social impact study is carried out to ensure that the community benefits from the project,” Agwa said.

Kisumu West senior deputy county commissioner Nalianya Wanyonyi urged the community to embrace the project which once completed will transform the area.

Wanyonyi, who chairs the Kisumu West Leaders Forum, said all relevant state agencies have been brought on board to ensure that the project is fully implemented in consideration with the needs of the community.

He assured that those who will be displaced within the project area will be fully compensated by the government.

“It has taken us three years to agree but now I am glad that we have a way forward. I want to assure you that all landowners in the project area will be compensated,” Wanyonyi said.

The National Lands Commission (NLC) and the county government have been brought on board to ensure that they support the project.

Wanyonyi said the government will not acquire forcefully and will ensure those affected are fully compensated.

During the public participation, the agency and Korando community unanimously resolved to form a land committee to oversee land matters.

Jack Kamatoya said they want to be fully involved in the project. “We want our people who will be displaced from their lands be compensated,” he said.

Kamatoya said the land where the project will be located is used for farming and serving grazing land and is also being used for farming.

Nema officials said environmental impact assessment for the project will be done once the plan and design are complete.

They said compensation and environmental safety will be taken care of. The Nema official said the sewer treatment plant is important as it will take care of the expanding population on that side of Kisumu City.