The County Government of Uasin Gishu has expressed its intentions to facilitate the formation of a water company that will be mandated to provide water and sanitation services to locals in rural areas.
Members of the Uasin Gishu County Assembly earlier this month passed a Bill for the establishment of the company.
The Uasin Gishu Rural Water and Sanitation Company Bill provides for the legal framework for the establishment of the company and its operations.
With the bill set to be assented into an Act, the county has already allocated funds to facilitate the company’s operationalization.
In the budget estimates for the 2023/2024 that Finance and Economic Planning County Executive Micah Rogony presented before the County Assembly on Tuesday, Ksh40 million has been allocated to the soon-to-be established company.
“To develop and manage all water supply and sanitation infrastructure in rural areas and small towns across the county for sustainable delivery of water and sanitation services, I have set aside KSh. 40,000,000 for the formation and operationalization of Uasin Gishu Rural Water and Sanitation Company,” read part of the budget estimate statement.
According to the Uasin Gishu Rural Water and Sanitation Company Bill, the company will managed by a board that will have a chairperson and a Chief Executive Officer.
Access to clean water
It is also expected to take over the roles of provision of water and sanitation services currently being handled by various providers.
This will be the second water company owned by the County Government after the Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS).
Eldowas is however mandated to supply water and offer other sanitation-related services to customers only within the Eldoret Municipality.
Access to water remains one of the key areas of focus, with the budget allocating Ksh454 million that will go towards completion of water projects and distribution of the commodity to locals.
“As a leading priority in the next financial year and to fulfill the request of ‘meche biko beko’ as voiced by residents during the campaign by H.E. the Governor, I have allocated KSh. 454,050,552 for the development of various community water supply projects across the county,” the Finance CECM said in the budget statement.
“Key activities to be implemented will include completion of ongoing water projects, rehabilitation of existing water supplies and distribution of water to households as well as institutions,” he added.
