Sh1.2b project to address water woes in Kisii and Nyamira counties

Kisii and Nyamira counties are set to benefit from a Sh1.2 billion joint water system revamping programme.

The project, being funded by German Development Bank, is set to modernise water supply and sanitation systems in the two counties.

The two county governments have been struggling to pay a huge electricity bill owed to Kenya Power by the Gusii Water and Sanitation Company (Gwasco).

Addressing the Press after they held a consultative meeting in a Kisii hotel where they also inaugurated a new board that will manage the water company, Kisii Governor James Ongwae and his Nyamira counterpart John Nyangarama said they have been able to pay Sh20 million and Sh13 million respectively to Kenya Power Company.

Governor Ongwae said the region's current water system was put in place in 1935 with minimal maintenance being carried out on the system.

IMPROVED SYSTEM

Ongwae said the two county governments had approved a re-engineering programme to improve the region's water and sewerage system.

At stake for the two counties is an ambitious programme to put up a modern system that will serve the region's increasing population as well as put up a hydro power generating plant, which according to the two leaders needs a lot of groundwork.

"The German Development Bank project will be implemented through Lake Victoria South Water Services Board and involves revamping 25 kilometres of the existing distribution system and construction of a 100km stretch to cater for the new distribution system," said.

The project's end result is to reduce water wastage and improve supply from the current 18 hours a day to 24-hours a day everyday.

On his part, Governor Nyagarama said ORIO of Netherlands has also come on board and is willing to construct a dam and a water treatment plant at Bonyunyu with the water serving Nyamira town, Keroka and Kisii town.

TWO DONORS

Nyagarama said while Gwasco has been collecting money from residents, the funds have not been enough to even pay staff salaries. He said this will become a thing of the past once the two projects are rolled out.