By Abigael Kibanga
For years, many families in parts of Nyamira County have relied on rivers, springs and long walks in search of water.
That reality could soon change as the county government and the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency (LVSWWDA) intensify efforts to bring piped water closer to households.
Also Read
Governor Amos Nyaribo on Tuesday flagged off water pipes for a major last-mile connectivity project that seeks to connect thousands of residents in Nyamira Municipality and surrounding areas to clean and safe water.
The project involves the laying of 38 kilometres of water transmission pipelines and an additional eight kilometres of consumer lines, targeting homes that have remained unconnected despite being close to existing water infrastructure.
Nyaribo said the project is aimed at expanding water distribution to underserved areas, while strengthening the county’s water infrastructure, an initiative that forms part of the county government’s commitment to achieving universal access to safe drinking water.
“We are steadily on course in increasing the number of our people accessing clean and safe water for domestic use,” Nyaribo said during the flag-off ceremony attended by LVSWWDA Chief Executive Officer Jackline Momanyi.
“My administration is working with the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency in laying a 38-kilometre water connection infrastructure within Nyamira Municipality and beyond under the last-mile connectivity programme,” he added.
The governor said the county had already received 1,000 smart water meters, with another 1,000 expected soon, paving the way for more household connections.
According to Momanyi, the project will cover Nyamira Municipality; extending up to Nyansabakwa, Kebirigo and Nyaramba and is expected to benefit about 2,500 customers.
“We are doing a total of 38 kilometres of piping and eight kilometres of consumer lines in the last-mile water connectivity project,” she said.
The project is also expected to receive a major boost from a planned solarisation programme aimed at reducing the high cost of pumping water.
Nyaribo revealed that Nyamira Water and Sewerage Company (NYAWASCO) currently spends about Sh2 million every month on electricity bills to pump water.
“We use Sh2 million every month on electricity to pump water in Nyamira. The solarisation programme will cut the costs of NYAWASCO by more than half,” he said.
Momanyi noted that once the solar project is implemented, frequent disruptions associated with electricity bills and power outages would significantly reduce.
“Once we do solar, the issue of electricity disconnection will be a thing of the past,” she said.
The solar systems will be installed at three critical pumping stations: the water intake point, the treatment plant and the Kebirigo pumping station.
Momanyi also disclosed that the proposed Bonyunyu and Magwagwa dams are among projects being considered for funding under the National Infrastructure Fund, potentially expanding water access further across the county.
