Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma, trying his hand at driving an excavatoron Friday to mark the official commissioning of the Kisumu Water & Sanitation Company (KIWASCO) project funded by the World Bank in collaboration with the county government. [Photo: hivisasa.com]
More than 2,000 households at Riat-Kisumu are set to access treated piped water after the County government commissioned a water project to cover the area.
The initial Phase of the Riat Water Project is projected to cost Sh114 million has commenced with a 3.4 km network to be constructed in the area for.
The second Phase of the project shall be extended to cover Otonglo, Mamboleo and parts of the Central Business District (CBD).
Kisumu governor Jack Ranguma who spoke during the commissioning of the project, said the move was part of the government’s initiative to make sure Kisumu is water sufficient.
He said Riat was one of the fastest developing suburbs in Kisumu adding that once the project is accomplished more investors shall be wooed to the area.
The move, he said, shall improve access to clean treated water besides helping to curtail prevalence of waterborne illnesses.
Recently three people succumbed to cholera in the area and scores of others were hospitalized after contracting the waterborne disease which has since been contained.
The governor revealed that Kisumu was the fastest growing city in Africa according to the latest World Bank report adding that a water shortage was expected.
He stated that plans were underway to resuscitate the Maseno Kombewa water project to boost supply in Maseno, Seme, Kisumu CBD, Kisian, and the airport environs.
The county government, he said has also partnered with the national government to oversee the construction of two multipurpose dams at Koru and Sondu.
The two dams shall supply water in Nyakach, Nyando and Muhoroni with part of the water being channeled for irrigation to boost food security.
The governor expressed optimism that once these mega projects are accomplished then Kisumu County shall be water sufficient.