The Government, through the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA), has launched a Sh10 million water project at Chuchuniat Primary School in Kesses Sub County, Uasin Gishu to benefit the school and neighbouring community, a significant step towards addressing the water challenges in Kenya’s rural regions.
The project is expected to transform the lives of thousands of residents by providing reliable access to clean and safe water.
The Cabinet Secretary for ASALs and Regional Development Beatrice Askul Moe who officiated at the commissioning ceremony, emphasized the government’s commitment to improving access to basic services in marginalized and underserved regions.
“This project is okay, and I can confidently say the challenges students have faced due to lack of water will now be a thing of the past,” said CS Moe.
“I know the difficulties this community has gone through, especially our women, who have walked long distances in search of water. We will continue supporting them, because no one should have to suffer alone. From now on, water will be available right here in the school and at the doorstep of thousands of households,” she added.
The water project is designed not only to serve Chuchuniat Primary School but also the surrounding community, reaching an estimated 9,500 households.
Residents, particularly women and children, have long suffered from water scarcity, which affects not just domestic life but also education, hygiene, and health.
In his remarks, Kesses Member of Parliament CPA Julius Ruto who joined the CS at the commissioning, welcomed the project with optimism, describing it as a game-changer for the constituency.
“This water will benefit students during the school day and serve families during the dry season, when water becomes almost impossible to find. Women especially have suffered due to the lack of nearby water sources. I call upon the CS and her Ministry to consider implementing more water projects in Kesses, because the need is still great,” noted the area MP.
He underscored that the initiative marks the beginning of a new chapter where access to clean and reliable water is no longer a barrier to education and daily life, noting that the project reflects their shared commitment to uplifting rural schools and promoting community well-being through sustainable development.
“We are building a future where every child learns in a healthy and dignified environment,” CPA Ruto said.
The Managing Director of the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) Wycliffe Ochiaga said the agency had conducted extensive stakeholder engagement before initiating the project.
LBDA, a national government agency operating across 18 counties, is mandated to promote social and economic development within the lake basin region.
The Managing Director said the project came about after they realized, through engagements with the community, that water scarcity was negatively impacting both learning outcomes and livelihoods.
“Students couldn’t concentrate in class, and families had to travel long distances or rely on expensive alternatives to access water,” he said.
He added that beyond simply building the infrastructure, the authority had trained a local Water Management Committee that would oversee the day-to-day operation and sustainability of the project.
Ochiaga lauded the project which he said was not only about water but also about education, health, and empowerment, noting that water is a basic human need, and through this intervention, they were addressing a multitude of challenges for instance waterborne diseases like cholera and diarrhea as clean water means fewer waterborne infections may occur.
Access to clean water would also help improve retention in the school as more children, especially girls would be staying in school.
Dr. Isaac Kogo, a member of the LBDA Board of Directors, emphasized the educational benefits of the project.
He noted that during the dry season, families would resort to hiring tractors to fetch water which is a costly and unsustainable practice.
“This project will serve more than 5,000 people directly, and many more indirectly,” Dr. Kogo said.
“By making water readily available, we expect significant improvement in students’ performance and attendance. Teachers will also be able to focus more on teaching, rather than managing the effects of water shortages,” said the LBDA Board Member.
He noted that many students were previously forced to skip classes to help their families fetch water or were affected by illnesses caused by consuming unsafe water.
“This is a holistic investment. It’s about ensuring students are healthy and hydrated so that they can learn. It’s about lightening the burden on mothers and daughters who spend hours searching for water. It’s about building a future where clean water is a right, not a privilege,” explained Dr. Kogo.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
