Eric Juma

The Sh2.4 billion Siaya Bondo water project, which was launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday, is expected to end perennial water shortage in the county.

The project is aimed at improving access, availability and sustainability of water supply and waste water services in the towns of Siaya and Bondo.

Implemented in two phases, the project is expected to benefit 63 per cent of Siaya residents. 

The first phase of the project targeted markets, town centres, government and learning institutions while the second phase, which will benefit mainly households, has so far seen 50 taps installed in the communities, with each expected to serve more than 500 families.

Financed by the African Development Bank and the Kenyan government, the project is part of the last mile connectivity project under the Kenya Towns Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Programme. 

It provides water to satellite centres such as Nyangweso, Wagai, Ng’iya, Nyagondo and Kogelo, where water kiosks were erected. The water flows to the areas by force of gravity.

Movement by gravity has ensured a free and constant flow of water to the four areas, which is not interrupted by frequent power outages.

The project’s implementation began in November 2013 and was concluded in December 2018.

Long distances

“The huge project involved the rehabilitation of the water intake in river Yala that served the giant Sidindi-Malanga water project and allows water to flow by gravity across county,” the President said.

During the launch, residents applauded the government for giving priority to the project.

Dorrington Odhiambo, a resident of Yala, said before the project was implemented, residents walked long distances to fetch water.

“We are happy especially with the phase II of the project that has extended water pipes to the community. The availability of clean water will see cases of domestic violence, school dropout rates and defilement dropping,” he said.

Cynthia Nyabera, who is a vegetable vendor in Yala, observed that women had particularly been spared the pain of walking long distances to fetch water.

“Women have been spending hours at crowded wells to fetch water. We  can now concentrate on other ventures that generate income since we have water at our doorsteps. The situation had been bad but we are now happy,” said Nyabera.

Peter Oloo, a farmer in Bondo, said the steady supply of water from the project had enhanced his production of horticultural crops which he sells to learning institutions.

“My horticultural production is thriving due to constant supply of water from the Siaya Bondo project. I will soon expand the acreage and start pond fish farming and sugarcane growing,” said Oloo.

Oloo said agriculture was now a more promising venture because of the availability of water.

“I urge farmers in Siaya to make use of the newly commissioned water project to transform their lives,” said Oloo who lives 7km from Bondo town.

Water vendors, whose businesses thrived during the water scarcity, are not, however, happy.

Kitchen gardens

Ishmael Odhiambo says many of his colleagues had lost their source of income.

Siaya County Water Director Henry Juma asked the community to ensure that they observe basic hygiene and sanitation practices at the water points.  “I urge the community to own the project and guard against vandalism of the system,” he said.

Juma also encouraged communities to use the water to establish kitchen gardens where they can grow vegetables throughout the year.

He said the county government was committed to ensuring more people access clean water and each sub-county has a water project to achieve the target of all homesteads getting piped water.

“We are committed to ensuring that all sub-counties have a water project to ensure people get clean water at their doorstep,” he said.

“We are happy to witness the commissioning of this project. This is in line with our manifesto to improve access to clean and safe portable water.”