President William Ruto has commissioned a KSh8.4 billion water and sewerage project in Nyalenda, Kisumu, aimed at expanding access to clean water, improving sanitation and reducing the amount of untreated wastewater flowing into Lake Victoria.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Project (LVWATSAN) on September 14, Ruto said the investment would upgrade and expand Kisumu City's sewerage infrastructure to support its growing population and ongoing development.
“We agreed that under broad-based leadership, all parts of Kenya will get their share of progress, leaving behind the old politics of hatred, tribalism and division,” he said.
The President said the project would significantly increase the capacity of Kisumu's sewerage system.
“Right here in Nyalenda, we are launching a water and sewerage system project for Kisumu County to upgrade and double the capacity of the sewerage system with an investment of 8.4 billion shillings.”
A project coordinator told the President that sewerage coverage in Kisumu City currently stands at 19 per cent, meaning much of the city's wastewater is not connected to the sewer network.
The newly commissioned project is expected to increase sewerage coverage to 40 per cent through the construction of 33 kilometres of sewer lines, benefiting about 23,000 households.
The beneficiaries include an estimated 7,000 households under the Affordable Housing Programme.
Clean water coverage is also expected to rise from 78 per cent to 90 per cent over the next two years, according to the project briefing.
Ruto said the programme would be implemented in phases to ensure Kisumu has adequate water and sewerage infrastructure, particularly as the government expands affordable housing projects in the county.
“I want to inform you that today I have launched Phase One of this initiative. Phase Two is currently underway and we will be advertising Phase Three next week,” he said.
“We are doing this to guarantee that Kisumu City has sufficient water and sewerage capacity, especially as we continue constructing affordable housing units across Kisumu County.”
The wider LVWATSAN programme is being implemented through the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency and is supported by the Government of Kenya and international partners, including the French Development Agency, European Investment Bank and the European Union.
The programme seeks to expand water supply and sanitation infrastructure in Kisumu while reducing environmental pollution entering Lake Victoria.
It includes the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Dunga water intake facility, the Kisat Sewerage Treatment Plant and Nyalenda wastewater stabilisation ponds, while a new wastewater treatment facility is planned near Otonglo to serve the western part of Kisumu City.
The wider infrastructure works are intended to improve wastewater management as Kisumu continues to grow, while protecting Lake Victoria from pollution.
The project briefing also indicated that survey work for five boreholes was underway in Maseno, following an earlier commitment by the President, with drilling expected to begin within three months.
Beyond water and sanitation, Ruto used the event to outline other planned government investments in Kisumu, saying KSh23 billion had been allocated for roads in the county.
“I am here to tell my brothers and sisters in Kisumu that we have agreed to plan for Kenya's progress together, leaving behind the old politics of marginalisation. That is why we have allocated 23 billion shillings for roads in Kisumu County.”
The KSh8.4 billion investment is expected to strengthen Kisumu's water and sanitation infrastructure, expand sewer connections and support the city's growing population while addressing concerns over wastewater pollution in Lake Victoria.
