The National Government through Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency (LVSWWDA), has endorsed the implementation of mega water and sanitation projects in Kisumu County at a cost of Sh7.5 Billion.
The Government of Kenya in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Union – Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund (EU-AITF) co-financed the project.
The venture dubbed Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Program (LVWATSAN), is intended to rehabilitate, extend and expand water and sanitation facilities to meet the county’s growing population demand.
Among the existing sewerage facilities to be improved include Kisat and Nyalenda wastewater stabilization ponds.
Under LVWATSAN Program, Dunga water intake facility will be rehabilitated and upgraded at a cost of at Sh. 900 Million to adapt to climate change and population pressure due to the rapid development of Kisumu City.
Current urban trends show that 60 percent of the world’s population will be living in urban areas, hence an urgent need to respond to the growing population demand, by improving the provision of the essential needs.
The project programme will also involve the construction of a new sewer in Otonglo, Kisumu West Sub-county. The facility is expected to treat 4,000 cubic meters of wastewater per day, to curb environmental pollution in the area.
Kisumu Deputy Governor, Dr Mathew Owili, lauded the projects, saying it would help in mitigating the perennial water shortages in the Lakeside City.
Speaking at his office during a meeting with the projects’ implementers’ water institution heads and financiers, Dr Owili said the ongoing works seeks to address rising population challenges within Kisumu City.
He reaffirmed the County’s commitment to avail land for the projects and provide a conducive environment for smooth implementation. Construction works are expected to be rolled out at the beginning of 2022 and are to be implemented over a period of five years up to 2025.
“The rollout of the program construction works nears closer. LVWATSAN will be a big game changer in water and sanitation services access in Kisumu City,” said LVSWWDA CEO, Chrispine Omondi.
Over 110 kilometers of water supply distribution network will be constructed, covering Kanyamedha, Otonglo, Airport, Korando, Ukweli, Kiboswa areas, to achieve 90 percent water coverage.
Additional 107 kilometers water supply and distribution network, will be established at the satellite towns of Maseno, Kiboswa and Ahero to respond to the population growth in these places.
The project shall also undertake the construction of 8,700 cubic meters of the wastewater treatment plant and additional 70 kilometers of sewer networks in the town to achieve 50 percent sanitation coverage upon completion.
Most of the water in Kisumu is obtained from Lake Victoria, with a small percentage extracted from the Kibos River. Also, Nyamasaria, Kisian, Kajulu, Mamboleo, Luanda and Lidango rivers, contribute a small percent of water sources.
Besides, the Agency is also implementing the Kenya Towns Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Program (KTSWSSP), financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the National Government.
Projects under the program include the Ugunja – Sega – Ukwala Water Supply and Sanitation Project, Kendu Bay – Oyugis Water Supply and Sanitation Project and Last mile connectivity in Siaya, Keroka (Kisii) and Isebania (Migori).
The two projects at Oyugis and Kendu Bay which cost Sh 1.3 billion are currently at 60 percent completion and are all expected to be completed by December 2022.
It has a design capacity of 12,300 Cubic Meters per day and is expected to serve over 120,000 people in Homa Bay County.
By Robert Ojwang’
