Kakamega County Government and the World Bank are collaborating to enhance water access to residents through the Financial Locally-Climate Action FLLOGA programme aimed at eradicating waterborne diseases.
Key projects under the partnership include rehabilitation of water springs and construction of water supply projects and strengthening water security and climate change resilience.
Ruth Khisa, the Butere Sub-County water officer says the county is also reviving and upgrading existing community water projects under the programme to expand coverage.
“The partnership focuses on ensuring residents use clean water through protection of water springs, which is the primary source of water for households by majority of residents”, she added.
Khisa, who spoke during the handing over of Mulukanji, Emachifi and Emitsesa springs, said they have so far upgraded Iranda water project to piped scheme and connected 112 households.
“We are also targeting to revive and upgrade Firatsi and Emasiba community water projects as well”, she added.
The Initiative aims to provide clean and safe water to residents at their doorsteps as part of the county government flagship project of fulfilling the “Amatsi Khumuliango” (water at the doorstep) agenda.
Other than FLLOCA, other stakeholders in the programme include Sustainable Organic Farming Development Initiative (SOFDI) and Community Assets Building and Development Action (CABDA).
SOFDI representative Simon Shikalo said the organization has protected 2,338 springs in Khwisero, Ikolomani, Shinyalu, Malava, Navakholo, Mumias East, Lurambi and currently working in Butere Sub-County.
He said they are implementing sanitation projects in both Kakamega and Vihiga counties. Adding that they are working in coordination with the department of public health to identify more springs in the community.
Shikalo said the main aim of partnering with the community is to create ownership of the projects through the spring protection committees, adding that it costs about 70,000 shillings to protect the same.
He said that the organisation is also creating awareness on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Agri-Nutrition programme.
On his part, the Butere Sub-County NTDs co-ordinator Eliud Asinyama said that the county intends to administer deworming drugs, embark on behaviour change communication and water sanitation hygiene to eradicate the worms.
by George Kaiga
