Residents of Maseno town and its environs are set to benefit from bulk water supply following the signed agreement between Kisumu and Vihiga county governments.
The agreement will enable Vihiga county to supply water to Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company for distribution in Maseno and the neighbouring areas.
Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili said Maseno, which had been elevated to a town, was fast-growing and required a sufficient supply of clean and safe water for residents.
The agreement is aimed at tackling water shortage in Maseno whose population has increased tenfold.
Owili attributed the rapid population growth to Maseno University with more than 20,000 students.
Besides the university, Maseno School and Maseno Girls Primary Boarding School also have thousands of students.
“The high population has put pressure on our supply, which has seen shortage of water being experienced in this area,” the DG said.
Recently, during the World Water Day celebrations at the Agriculture Training Centre at Maseno, Owili said Kisumu and Vihiga have also partnered to protect and conserve water sources in the area to ensure steady supply.
He praised the pact, which has contributed to the peace and stability being experienced in Maseno town and its environs.
“Our counties (Kisumu and Vihiga) share a common precious destiny. Water has become a beacon of peace and prosperity amongst our residents.”
He said that climate change was one of the major contributors to water scarcity in the area and called for a collective responsibility to restore and conserve the environment.
“As we consume the water that we have, we must also think about this so that our future generations can also benefit,” Owili said.
Kisumu Water executive Marylene Agwa said the partnership with Vihiga will help boost water coverage in Maseno town.
She said that water coverage currently stands at 20 per cent, which is expected to increase to 40 per cent with the signed agreement.
“The county government in partnership with various development partners are committed towards increased water connectivity and adequate supply to residents,” Agwa said.
Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency CEO Jackline Kemunto said they are undertaking various water projects and infrastructure in the area.
Kemunto said the projects include rehabilitation of millennium spring, construction of a 1,000 cubic metre tank in Nyawita and rehabilitation of Maseno old tanks.
Others are the rehabilitation of one borehole in Maseno market and sinking of a new one and the construction of a 150 cubic metre water tank at Maseno market.
Once completed, she said the projects will help address the perennial water shortage.
Kiwasco managing director Thomas Odongo largely attributed water scarcity in the area to climate change.
He called for concerted efforts among the community towards conservation efforts and planting more trees.
“When we opened a new plant in Kajulu we knew that Kisumu will have uninterrupted supply until 2030. This has however changed because the river is now seasonal because of the effects of climate change,” Odongo said.
He advocated for harvesting and storage of rain water in Kisumu City to ensure stable water supplies.
