By K, KNA
The Kericho county government has announced the release of tender for the Sh2.3 billion Bureti–Itare Water Project and Kericho Sewerage System, marking a major milestone in the region’s quest to improve access to clean water and sanitation services.
Kericho governor Dr. Eric Mutai revealed that the transformative project, jointly funded by the government of Kenya and the Federal Republic of Germany through the German Development Bank, will be implemented through a partnership between the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency and the County Government of Kericho, working closely with the Kericho Water and Sanitation Company (KEWASCO).
In a statement, Mutai disclosed that the County Government had already secured land in Litein for the construction of a modern water treatment plant and sewerage system, a move expected to significantly boost water access and enhance environmental protection in the area.
The governor emphasized that the project will provide sustainable and equitable drinking water and basic sanitation facilities, thereby improving the quality of life for thousands of residents across Kericho and its environs.
“At the same time, we successfully spearheaded negotiations with the Bomet county government to allow the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency to take over the management of the Itare intake, an agreement that has finally unlocked this long-awaited project after years of planning and consultations,” Dr. Mutai said.
Meanwhile, the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency Tuesday issued a notice inviting eligible bidders to apply for prequalification under Lot 2, which covers the rehabilitation and expansion of water supply and sanitation systems for Kericho and Litein.
The notice further indicated that the project is designed to protect Lake Victoria from contamination through enhanced wastewater treatment and discharge management, while advancing climate-resilient infrastructure development in urban centers.
Upon completion, the Bureti–Itare and Kericho Sewerage Project is expected to become a benchmark for sustainable water and sanitation management, reflecting the government’s dedication to universal clean water access and improved public health by 2030.
The Agency, established under the Water Act of 2016, operates under the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation and covers eight counties including Bomet, Homa Bay, Kericho, Kisii, Kisumu, Migori, Nyamira, and Siaya.
The Sh1.2 billion Kimugu Water Project, which supplies over 13 million litres of clean water daily to more than 200,000 households in Kericho Town, was also funded by the government of Kenya and the Federal Republic of Germany through the German Development Bank, under the same partnership framework.