By Hope Barbra
President William Ruto at the weekend commissioned the Sh 1.046 billion Ugunja-Sega-Ukwala water supply in Siaya county.
Speaking in Ugunja, President Ruto said 20,000 families in the area will benefit from the water supply and that the government will give SH 100M for last mile connectivity.
“I came for church service in the area, but I was informed that I had to commission water project in the area. They ask me to come here and commission this project.
I am here today, because Kenya’s development programs top my priority agenda. We have agreed that we will not entertain politics of division and tribalism.
We want every corner of the country to also benefit from the national government projects.
We are here today, because of the water project. The water project we are commissioning today, we want it to benefit 100,000 people.
From Ugunja to Ukwala,I have met the chief executive officer of Lake Victoria South Water Works Jackline Kemunto and she has said, she wants the water to reach all the homes.
You want the last mile connectivity, on that note, I want to tell the cabinet secretary of Water and Irrigation, he is present here, that after two weeks, he should prepare a budget that will ensure the water is supplied to all homes.
The broad-based government has given out Sh 100M to distribute the water in all homes. We have agreed with your governor James Orengo, that we will partner in this undertaking.
Your governor will also allocate some funds for water extension, and the national government will also give out additional funds to ensure every home is served with water,” he said.
The Project is part of the Kenya Towns Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Program (KTSWSSP), jointly funded by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Kenya.
The project was designed to serve over 100,000 people across the towns of Ugunja, Sega and Ukwala with a daily supply capacity of 8.4 million litres of water.
Key features of the project include:
Energy efficiency: The system incorporates three hydro-power turbines, generating renewable energy that will save over KShs. 790,000 monthly on electricity costs.
A standby pumping system to ensure uninterrupted water supply.
Construction of six reservoir tanks: 85 km of transmission and distribution pipelines, nine water kiosks and three ablution blocks
A scheme office: acquisition of a water bowser and last-mile connectivity materials to extend service to underserved areas.
This project marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to improve access to clean water and sanitation in growing urban centers, enhancing public health, economic productivity and quality of life in the region.
Ahead of the commissioning by the president, Ministry of Water, Sanitation & Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eng. Eric M. Mugaa inspected the Ugunja-Sega-Ukwala Water and Sanitation Project. He was accompanied by Water Secretary Eng. Samwel Alima, LVSWWDA Chairman Mr. Daniel Omino, LVSWWDA CEO Ms. Jackline Kemunto, CRVWWDA Chairman Hon. Ndiritu Mathenge and CRVWWDA CEO CPA Douglas Murei
