23 Nov Ground Breaking Of Mt. Elgon-Mayanja- Kibabii Water Project (Koica Phase II)

The Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Chief Admistrative Secretary Dr. Andrew Tuimur, CBS, on 10th November, 2021 spearheaded the ground-breaking ceremony and the official start of implementation of the Mt. Elgon-Mayanja- Kibabii Complex Water Project in Bungoma County.

He was accompanied by Korean Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Yeonghan Choi, CS Defence, Hon. Eugene Wamalwa , Our Agency Chairman Mr. Julius Bakasa Wasike, HSC, Director Hon. Manyala Keya, Our Agency CEO Eng. Samson Peter Gongi, Governor of Bungoma County, H. E. Wycliffe Wangamati , County Commissioner Bungoma, Mr. Samuel Kimiti and other Management staff from our Agency.

The CAS said that the Ministry is eager to attain 80% water access within the county from the previous 67% and sanitation level is well considered and upgraded from 20% to 40% by 2022 noting that water is the key enabler of the Big Four Agenda.

He stated that the overall goal of the proposed Mt. Elgon- Mayanja- Kibabii Water Project is to increase water coverage and reduce walking distance to water collection points in Mt. Elgon, Kabuchai, Kanduyi constituencies and Kibabii University in Bungoma County.

The objectives of the project are to:

Improve the quality of life through safe and sound water supply, reduce and prevent water-borne diseases and upgrade living standards of Bungoma County people and promote capacity building of operation and maintenance of Water Supply Systems.

The scope of work includes;

Intake facility Q=4200m3 per day

Raw water main L=3.8km

Water treatment plant Q=4000m3 per day

Transmission and distribution pipelines L=46km

Service tanks= 5 No’s

Kiosks =25 No’s

Dr. Tuimur said that the implementing agency of project is Lake Victoria Water Works Development Agency (LVNWWDA) and that phase 2 of the project is estimated to cost Khs.6O0m.

He said the Korean Government through KOICA agreed to fund phase II to a tune of USD 500 Million and Upon completion, an estimation of over 85000 residents of Bungoma will benefit from the project. He commended the support from the Korean Government and greatly appreciated there partnership. He stated that the Elgon-Mayanja-Kibabii Complex Water Project has been funded through a grant by the Korean Government at a cost of Ksh. 600 million.

The project will lead to reliable, accessible, safe and portable piped water, an increase in livestock production resulting in increased production of milk and beef.