Governor Wycliffe Oparanya yesterday launched sh. 17.2 million decentralized Waste Water Treatment Facility to support in waste water management in Mumias town.
The facility is meant to help in handling waste water which has been a challenge in the town.
Oparanya said, “I thank Water Sector Trust Fund for funding this project that will address the challenge of waste water in Mumias,” said Oparanya.
He said the facility will serve at least 2,300 households in Mumias Sub County, noting that it is expensive to construct a sewerage system and the waste water treatment facility will offer an alternative.
“It will cost us at least Sh 2 billion to construct the sewerage system in Mumias. However, with such facilities we have an alternative. We need three more such facilities in Mumias to solve the issue of waste water management,” he said.
He noted that under the project, WSTF also constructed 200 toilets in low-income areas within Mumias town.
Mr Willis Ombayi, CEO Water Sector Trust Fund said his organization is committed to work with the devolved units to enhance water supply services and improve on sanitation.
He said apart from the sh.17.2 million facility they have also given the County sh. 65.2 million to cushion it from the effects of Covid-19.
“Recently we signed a partnership with KACWASCO to fund Malava Water Project at a cost of sh. 19.8 million. We are grateful for the support and cooperation we get from the County,” said Ombayi.
CECM for Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Rhodah Masaviru said the facility is the first of its kind in the County.
“I thank the development partners for financing this projects that will offer solutions to many challenges posed by waste water,” said Masaviru.
Mary Kundu, Director at KACWASCO said the facility will solve issues of pollution of rivers which poses health risks.
“Institutions within this area should take advantage of this facility to dispose their waste water so that we have a clean and healthy environment,” said Ms Kundu.
County Assembly Environment Committee Chairman Swaka Limera asked development partners to consider rolling out similar projects in other urban Centers within the County.
Butere MP Tindi Mwale, County Secretary and Head of Public Service James Ochami, CECM for Roads Kulati Wangia, Chief Officers, CEOs among other officials were present.
By John Ochanda
