Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has said his adminstration has increased residents' clean water connectivity from 25 percent to 35 percent.
Lusaka lauded the Korean government for partnering with Bungoma to ensure that residents are connected to clean and safe water.
The governor said that both KOICA I and KOICA II water projects will serve 140,000 residents.
“We have also submitted another proposal for KOICA III which we are calling the Sossio- Kunywa- Tongaren- Webuye water project, we are optimistic that we shall get a positive response from the Korean government, and once they approve, we shall be able to the cover the Northern part of Bungoma County,” Lusaka noted.
He spoke on Wednesday during the handing over of phase II of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) water project.
Lusaka praised efforts put in by the Lake Victoria North waterworks agency and NZOWASCO to support the completion of the mega project.
Bungoma Deputy Governor Jenipher Mbatiany said the water project has tackled some of the challenges that women and girls face while looking for the precious commodity.
“Now with the completion of the KOICA phase II water project, our women will not waste a lot of time lining up at the water sources waiting to fetch water, they can now utilize time on other income-generating activities,” she stated.
The DG says residents travel long distances looking for water, calling on the locals to use the water prudently.
KOICA Country Director Dr. Jang Hee noted that he was happy with the partnership with Bungoma County affirming that the Korean government will continue supporting residents’ access to clean water.
Dr. Hee said that phase II of the water project is estimated at Sh600m.
Hebert Kibunguch, Bungoma County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Environment, Water, Natural Resources, Tourism and Climate Change said through the Kenya- Korea friendship, Bungoma has embarked on ensuring that more residents have access to clean and safe water.
Kibunguch added that if approved by the Korean government Phase 3 of the KOICA water project that will be commissioned at Kaboywo forest in Kaptama ward will cost Sh. 1.2 billion.
