The Construction of a Sh.1.18 billion government funded Kimugu Water Treatment Plant in partnership with the county government of Kericho is set to start next week at Duka Moja area along the Kericho-Nakuru highway.
The Lake Victoria South Water Services Board (LVSWSB) awarded the multi-billion contract to an International Chinese Company and work is expected to commence on April 23, this year on 10 acres of land acquired by the Kericho county government.
Addressing the press at the site, the Board CEO, Eng.Petronilla Apiyo Ogut commended the county for being the first among ten counties to support the national government towards implementation of the project.
“We have collaborated with county government since 2014 and we really appreciate them. Out of the ten counties that we serve, Kericho is the first county that has really supported the national government by accepting to acquire land towards the project,” added Ogut.
The Kericho Governor, Prof. Paul Chepkwony said the project will provide water to close to 200,000 residents as an
additional 13,000 million litres of water per day will be supplied, raising the water supply by Kericho Water and
Sanitation Company Limited (KEWASCO) to 22 million litres per day.
The county government acquired the Sh.103 million land from Unilever Tea Company for construction of the project that will take two years to complete.
Prof. Chepkwony disclosed that funds for construction of the project were sourced by the national government on behalf of Kericho as a loan that will be paid by KEWASCO and the devolved unit.
The governor urged residents not to politicize the project that is aimed at eradicating water scarcity in the town as well as generating jobs to many youth in the area.
Also present at the site was the Chinese Company contractor, Eric Wei of Nanchang Foreign Engineering Company who was flanked by the Projects Senior Resident Engineer, Dinesh Hirani, who affirmed their commitment in ensuring successful completion of the project that will increase the amount of water supply in Kericho and its environs.
“We expect the project to be completed within the agreed time and to the quality required under the contract,” they stated.
By Sarah Njagi
