Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has urged development partners to support the county expand water supply to residents.
Speaking when he met partners from USAID in his office on Saturday, Barasa asked them to support solarisation of boreholes, smart metering, pipeline extension and rehabilitation of the water pipeline to serve more people.
He said solarisation of the boreholes will ensure supply to areas not covered by the gravity supply.
He said his administration will focus on expansion of storage infrastructure to be able to deliver water to more people under an ambitious programme called “Amatsi Khumukuru” (water at the doorsteps) started by his predecessor Wycliffe Oparanya.
"I appreciate the partners for choosing Kakamega county to benefit from this project. Water supply has been a challenge, which we have to address now," he said.
The county government has said the water in receives from Tindinyo uptake is not enough to serve the ever-growing population.
The situation is made worse by the fact that over 40 per cent of the water cannot be accounted for.
The county water company receives 13,000 cubic metres from Tindinyo against a daily demand of 12,000 cubic metres by Kakamega town.
Of the 13,000 cubic metres of water, 42 per cent or 5,460 cubic metres is lost through illegal connections and pipes in an old network in the municipality.
Barasa also flagged off a 16, 000-liter water bowser to help in supply of clean water during emergencies.
Kakamega County Water and Sanitation Company acting CEO Christabel Ashiono said the company has embarked on rehabilitation and extension of the water pipeline to reach more people.
She appealed to the county government and development partners to support the programme to ensure more people get water.
She said high costs were slowing down expansion of storage capacities by the company.
The company is also in the process of reviving its old water treatment plants with the aim of increasing water production to meet the ever-increasing demand.
“We have plans to increase water production and storage so that we can end cases of water shortage and rationing in Kakamega town. Part of the effort is to revive our old water treatment plants,” Ashiono said.
She said the company is conducting a customer identification survey to update their database to help them improve services.
Edited by Henry Makori
