The long-standing contestation between Kericho and Bomet counties over the management of water from the Itare water project in Bomet County has finally been resolved.
Residents of the Konoin sub-county and parts of Bureti sub county now have a reason to smile after a taskforce drawn from the two counties resolved the long stand-off among other issues and the immediate resumption of water supply to Kericho County.
In what appeared as well-orchestrated and successful water diplomacy, Governor Prof. Paul Chepkwony and his Bomet counterpart, Prof. Hillary Barchok, signed a 5-year agreement on how to jointly manage the water scheme.
In a meeting held at Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency Headquarters in Kisumu, it was agreed that Kericho County will settle the outstanding debt of Sh. 29.5 million owed to Bomet Water and Sanitization Company (BOMWASCO) within a period of three months so as to ease the consumption of the precious natural resource.
“Kericho County Government is committed to settling the outstanding debt owed to BOMWASCO. The the agreement also seeks to improve the production of water and repair of the main trunk lines,” said Prof. Chepkwony.
The negotiations were brokered by Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency (LVSWWDA) chairman Mr. Dan Owino. The negotiations brought together the Water Service providers from the two counties.
Mr. Owino said LVSWWDA will seek finances to augment, expand and modernize the Itare water supply to meet the water demand of Litein, Kapkatet, and Konoin sub-county.
Since the disconnection of water by Bomet County in June last year over 35,000 residents of Bureti sub-county have been suffering in silence.
By Byegon Alfric and Mercyline Chepkemoi
