State in Sh200m water plan

by John Oyuke

Ms Ruth Nzioka, a resident of Mukuru kwa Njenga, has never known the comfort of using tap water for three decades.

Her’s is the fate of the urban poor, who rely on water vendors to supply the precious liquid.

But the agony of paying high tariffs to water vendors is about to end, thanks to the Government’s Sh200m innovative plan for next year.

The State’s move is courtesy of the National Water Services Strategy 2007-2015, that identifies lack of water as a key problem in urban areas, with low-income earners exposed to high tariffs charged by water vendors.

A water kiosk still under construction in Mavoko. Low cost technology wil ensure adequate supply of water to the poor. Photo: John Oyuke/Standard

The plan targets about 1.4 million urban poor with innovative water supply and sanitation solutions over the next four years.

The money will come from the Water Services Trust Fund, (WSTF) a state corporation, established for that purpose.

Eligible Water Services Providers (WSPs) in the country’s Water Services Boards have up to December 15 to apply for the funds, under the parastatal’s Urban Programme Concept (UPC).

The UPC is a mechanism developed to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability in the delivery of results through sustainable technologies such as water kiosk in urban poor areas.

The Ministry of Water and Irrigation, together with the European Union (EU) and the German Development Bank (KfW) are implementing another Sh1.7 billion countrywide projects through the WSTF.

solution

Water Kiosks, where formal water providers supply safe water at affordable prices, have proven to be an appropriate and efficient solution, providing water to a large number of residents in urban low-income areas.

Implementation of this low-cost technology is facilitated through multi-donor funds that provide pro-poor funding to commercial utilities, implementation support and monitoring.

Experts say the concept is proving popular in Kenya, since existing standpipes are poorly maintained especially after being vandalised.

Early this year, the WSTF made the first call for proposals, which forecast to finance 15 of the UPC projects at an estimated cost of Sh100 million to provide access to quality water to at least 100,000 residents of the low-income areas mainly in western Kenya.The Fund’s Chief Executive, Jacqueline Musyoki said the proposals have already been completed and implementation is on in cooperation with the water services providers in the area of Lake Victoria North Water Services Board (LVNWSB).

Ms Musyoki said WSTF is implementing the projects with the water services providers in Eldowas, Nzowasco, Amatsi and Kapsabet under LVNWSB.

Speaking at the launch of the concept in the country last month, German Ambassador to Kenya, Mrs Margit Hellwig, said local water sector institutions will now ensure sustainability of the projects for the benefit of the poor.

The operators will also earn to make the kiosks attractive.

oyuke@standardmedia.co.ke

 

 

Read all about: Water conservation German Development Bank KfW Ministry of Water and Irrigation MDG Millenium Development Goal

 

 

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