More than 25,000 households in
Kisumu city and its outskirts are set to access clean piped water under a newly
launched expansion of the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation programme.
The Phase II Lot 1 project,
implemented by the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency, will
extend the city’s water distribution network by 156km and lay an additional
25km in Maseno Township.
To boost storage, four tanks with a
combined capacity of 1,450 cubic metres will be built at Obwolo (250m³), Bukna
(150m³), Maseno town (1,000m³) and Maseno market (150m³).
In addition, an existing borehole in
Maseno will be rehabilitated and a new one drilled to reinforce supply.
Water CS Eric Mugaa said the Sh8.6
billion investment is jointly financed by the Government of Kenya, the French
Development Agency (AFD), the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European
Union.
Mugaa, who presided over the
groundbreaking at Obwolo in Kisumu East, said Kisumu and Maseno have faced
increasing water demand due to population growth, making the expansion vital.
He said the water and sanitation
initiative is structured in three phases.
“Phase I, now almost complete,
integrated water and sanitation works,” he said.
“Phase II focuses on water
expansion, while Phase III will upgrade Dunga intake works and rehabilitate
Nyalenda treatment ponds.”
The CS said water supply should be
balanced with sanitation, adding that Kisumu’s sewerage coverage remains at
just 18 per cent.
He said there are persistent
challenges, including water losses of up to 38 per cent, vandalism and project
delays.
To address this, the ministry has
equipped Kisumu county with leak detection tools and vehicles and introduced a
water police unit to deter vandalism.
Mugaa further revealed plans to
establish bulk water service providers in line with the Water Act 2016, a move
he said would enhance revenue collection and guarantee loan repayments.
French Development Agency Africa
director Sandra Kessab praised the partnership, saying it reflects France’s
two-decade-long commitment to improving water access in Kenya.
“Kenya’s rapid urbanisation presents
major challenges. Through this project and our collaboration with the EU and
EIB, we aim to expand water production and distribution to underserved
communities,” she said.
French Ambassador Arnaud Suquet described
the investment as one that delivers “dignity, health and opportunities” to
Kisumu residents.
Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o welcomed
the development, terming it a “game changer” in the city’s transformation.
“Our population has grown faster
than our water supply capacity,” he said.
“This project ensures fairer distribution, especially to informal settlements. Together with our partners, we are building a modern city on the shores of Lake Victoria.”
