Residents of Kericho town and its environs will soon heave a sigh of relief as the expansion of the multi-million shillings Kimugu Water Supply System in Duka Moja in the outskirts of Kericho town area enters homestretch.
The Sh1.2 billion project which is being funded by the National government and Lake Victoria South water works is 18 per cent shy to completion. Projected to produce 13 million litres of water per day, the water works are expected to supply fresh clean water to over 200,000 households.
“Out of the targeted 50km distribution pipeline, 48km line has already been done, covering areas of Kapsoit-Borborwet, Kapcheptoror-Kaptebeswet, Kakiptui, Kisumu road-Kapsoit and Kipchimchim-Ainamoi,” Eng Fabian Masinde said.
The raw water gravity main pipeline covering 7.7km from the main Kimugu Water intake at Cheimen area to the treatment plant at Duka Moja, is only 500 metres short to the end point, Eng. Masinde told KNA yesterday in Kericho.
Eng Masinde said that 1.2km in the 2.8 km pipeline from Duka Moja to Tea Hotel section has been completed and what was remaining was only 1.6km. It is estimated that the water project will meet the demand of the Kericho residents until year 2040.
“This water project has been scheduled to be completed not later than 30th June this year after an extension of six months. Some machines which include electrochemical machines for the project, that is; chemical mixers, pumps, compressors, chemical dozers and penstocks had arrived in Nairobi and were due at the site for installation,” Eng. Masinde said.
According to the Managing Director for Kericho Water and Sanitation Company (KEWASCO) Eric Siele, the current water shortage situation in Kericho and the surrounding region is dire.
“With a daily production shrinking to 2.6 million litres against the augmented demand of 16 million litres per day is largely attributed partly to the wanton destruction and encroachment of sections of South West Mau Forest,” Mr Siele said.
He said the negative effects meted on the West Mau Forest has resulted in drying up of tributaries feeding Timbilil (main water source for KEWASCO).
“As we grapple with this phenomenon, we must also remember that, Kericho, just like other parts of the country, is fighting with the impacts of climate change and this requires collective and explicit action to reverse the situation,” Siele remarked.
By Dominic Cheres
