The Kakamega county government has launched a Sh17.2 million wastewater treatment facility.
The project, funded by the Water Sector Trust Fund, was inaugurated by Governor Wycliffe Oparanya in Mumias town on Friday.
Oparanya said the facility will help in handling wastewater, which has been a big challenge to the town.
"I thank the Water Sector Trust Fund for funding this project that will address the challenge of wastewater in Mumias town," Oparanya said.
He said the project will serve at least 2,300 households in Mumias.
He noted that it is expensive to construct a sewerage system and the wastewater treatment facility will offer an alternative.
"It will cost us at least Sh2 billion to construct a sewerage system in Mumias. However, with such facilities we have an alternative. We need three more in Mumias to solve the issue of wastewater management," he said.
He said under the project, WSTF also constructed 200 toilets in low income areas within Mumias town.
Willis Ombayi, the CEO Water Sector Trust Fund, said his organisation is committed to working with the devolved units to enhance water supply services and improving sanitation.
He said apart from the Sh17.2 million facility they have also given the county Sh65.2 million to cushion it from the effects of Covid-19.
"Recently, we also signed a partnership with KACWASCO to fund Malava water project at a cost of Sh19.8 million. We are grateful for the support and cooperation we get from the county," Ombayi said.
Kakamega CECM for Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Rhodah Masaviru said the facility is the first of its kind in the county.
"I thank the development partners for financing this projects that will offer solutions to many challenges posed by waste water," Masaviru said.
Mary Kundu, director of KACWASCO, said the facility will solve issues of pollution of rivers that pose health risks.
"Institutions within this area should take advantage of this facility to dispose their wastewater so that we have a clean and healthy environment," Kundu said.
County assembly Environment committee chairman Swaka Limera asked development partners to consider rolling out similar projects in other urban centres within the county.
Butere MP Tindi Mwale, county secretary James Ochami, CECM for Roads Kulati Wangia and chief officers attended the launch.
Edited by Henry Makori
