360,000 Kisumu residents set to benefit from improved sanitation services.

 Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong'o unveils a plaque to officially launch Riat Water Supply project implemented by the Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company-Photo Courtesy.

By Dickson Odhiambo.

June 3, 2019.

360,000 Kisumu residents set to benefit from improved sanitation services.

THE Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company is set to improve sanitation services in the entire county that will benefit an estimated 360,000 residents.

This is said to be a good move as the water Service Provider has announced its plan to widen its mandate to offer sanitation services to its residents across Kisumu County.

Addressing a gathering during the official launch of RIAT Water supply project in Kisumu, Kiwasco Board of Directors Chairman Vinod Patel said the initiative is targeted towards the low income areas including Nyalenda, Obunga and Manyatta.

He said these areas have been identified as the key areas that are in dire need of improved sanitation services.

The chairman said the call for the expansion of the sewer network will partly contribute to achieving the utility’s preset objectives under the sanitation mandate.

“The sewer network is set to benefit approximately 360,000 residents and boost the services which currently stands 18.This is in line with the company’s strategic objectives of improving the network from the current percentage to 30% by the year 2022,” the Chairman said.

He said as the company is focusing on the expansion of water distribution network, they have not forgotten about the sewerage network whose percentage is still very low at a paltry 18 percent.

“We are now a sanitation company and have added to our mandate providing sanitation services to the of this great county of Kisumu,” he said.

The Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company Managing Director Thomas Odongo has said access to sanitation in low income areas in Kisumu is generally low.

Odongo said there is clearly need to provide services for the critical segment of population.

“It is in this regard that as we widen our mandate to offer sanitation services, our first area of focus will be in these areas,” Odongo said.

He said the Company has now changed its name from Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company to Kisumu Water and Sanitation so as to widen their mandate in trying to fill a glaring gap that is in sanitation.

The Managing Director at the same time said the company has also extended its water network to RIAT Hills whereby approximately 14,000 residents are set to benefit from clean piped water.

He said this will increase the company’s current water network from the current 73 percent.

The Managing Director said the cost of the project dubbed Output Based Aid{OBA} Water supply project to RIAT Hills is estimated at Kenya shillings 113 million and is partly funded by the World Bank.

He said the company intends to increase its water network to 85 percent by the year 2022.

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