This archive report was first published on 25 August 2020.
On the path to providing clean and safe water to residents of Vihiga County, the Belgian government and the county government have initiated a Sh1.7 billion water project. The project, which covers all five sub-counties in the region, aims to increase urban water coverage from 17% to 50%.
Started more than four years ago, the project has faced financial challenges but is now 95% complete. The project is divided into three phases: Maseno, Mbale, and Kaimosi. The Maseno phase will serve residents of Emuhaya and Luanda sub-counties, while the Mbale phase will cater to Vihiga and Sabatia sub-counties, and the Kaimosi phase will supply water to residents of Hamisi.
Key institutions set to benefit from the project include Maseno and Kaimosi universities, which have already signed agreements with the county. To facilitate and cut down the cost of pumping the water to institutions and homesteads, the three water stations have been installed with solar panels.
“The project has been ongoing since 2017 and it is expected to be complete by the end of the year and the water to homes be commissioned early next year,” said Governor Wilber Ottichilo.
Dr. Ottichilo added, “We have had various financial challenges as a county, but I am glad to see that this project is being completed. Many homesteads will now have piped water and with time, we shall no longer be depending on streams and springs for water.”
Samuel Delobbe, the Belgian project manager, noted, “We have qualified engineers who are doing excellent work.”
With the project nearing completion, residents of Vihiga County can look forward to improved access to clean and safe water.
