Kenya: Kisumu Water Project to Bail Out the Poor

KISUMU water and sanitation company, yesterday launched a water project that aims at connecting the peri-urban poor with safe and affordable water.

The programme is supported by the USaid and Sustainable water and sanitation in Africa (Suwasa) an NGO. The project’s mission is to provide 8,500 homes in flood prone Nyamasaria with clean water.

The Kisumu water company MD David Onyango said the project will also generate revenue and help fight water borne diseases. People in Nyamasaria are currently paying Sh800 per month for their water, three times more than other areas in Kisumu.

This is so because they don not have piped water and have to buy water from street vendors who are expensive. Onyango said the project is part of the company’s strategic plan to ensure all the town’s residents have access to clean water.

He said the company objective is increase water supply from the current 23,000 cubic metres to 46,000 cubic metres a day. “We are happy because Nyamasaria — a low income area will now have piped water,” said the MD.

He said Kiwasco had secured a loan from a commercial bank to help install water pipes in Nyamasaria. The residents, schools and health clinic that will enjoy the piped water, will however pay a small monthly fee for the next five months as a cover charge.

Stefan Kauder chief operating officer at Suwasa said, “the urban population is growing at 7 per cent necessitating a higher demand for water. Kiwasco’s commercial enterprise of providing water to residents is a win win situation to all parties involved.” He said the model should be replicated elsewhere in Kenya as a way of expanding access to water in urban areas.