The government is targeting to ensure every household in the country has access to clean water by the year 2030.
Water and Irrigation Chief Administrative Secretary Andrew Tuimur says they hope to reach the target through the over 600 water projects that they are currently financing.
Tuimur, in a media briefing in Eldoret, revealed that there are 685 ongoing water projects – all geared towards achieving 100 per cent water coverage.
Some of the projects include the Thwake Dam which the CAS said is now at 70 per cent complete and the Thiba dam which is complete.
“Water is an enabler in many aspects, from industries, health, agriculture and so on,” said Tuimur.
“We are working on multiple big, medium and small water projects which are aimed at improving the coverage,” he added.
In Uasin Gishu, the National Government is facilitating the construction of the Ksh1.2 billion Kipkaren Water Treatment Plant, whose works the CAS admits have been delayed.
He however expressed optimism that it will be complete.
The government is also looking at financing the Kimumu Water Supply project.
Eldoret has been facing an acute shortage of water – a challenge the two projects will be able to address.
Currently, the water demand in the town, ranked among the fastest-growing in the country stands at over 60 million litres, compared to the over 45 million litres that the Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS) supplies.
But according to the Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Chemno, the water shortage that has forced Eldowas to resort to regular water rationing will soon be a thing of the past.
Chemno said apart from the Kipkaren Water project, studies are also being done to access the viability of the Two Rivers Dam that if successful, “it will ensure Eldoret has adequate water access for a very long time.”
