The county government of Kericho has recorded steady and measurable progress in expanding access to clean and safe drinking water, following intensified investment in water infrastructure development across the sub-counties.
This has been achieved through a coordinated approach involving the drilling of boreholes, rehabilitation of existing water systems, and expansion of distribution networks.
According to Kericho Governor Dr. Eric Mutai, rural water coverage has increased from 38.2 percent in 2022 to 41 percent, while access in urban areas now stands at 66 percent, progress he attributed to deliberate and sustained interventions aimed at enhancing water supply systems across the county.
Dr. Mutai noted that the gains in water access have been driven by the ongoing, targeted initiatives rolled out by his administration to improve service delivery, key among them being the launch of 117 new water schemes to expand coverage, the upgrade and extension of 182 existing facilities, the drilling of 41 boreholes to boost supply in water-stressed areas, and the rehabilitation of 15 boreholes that had fallen out of use.
“We have significantly improved access to clean drinking water across the county, raising coverage from 38.2 percent in 2022 to 41 percent in rural areas and 66 percent in urban centers,” said Dr. Mutai.
He highlighted the Ndonyomare Water Project in Soin Ward, Soin Sub-County, as a key milestone under the county’s water programme, which features a fully operational borehole, a solar-powered pump system, a storage tank, and a five-kilometer pipeline network, which now delivers clean water to over 200 households that previously faced persistent supply challenges.
In a statement, the governor reiterated his administration’s resolve to ensure fair and inclusive development, emphasizing that access to clean and reliable water services should reach all parts of the county regardless of geographic location or residents’ socio-economic background.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring equitable development and reliable access to clean water for every part of our county,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Kimugu Water Project, commissioned in 2023, is another flagship government initiative that underscores ongoing efforts to expand access to clean water in Kericho, supplying 13 million litres of treated drinking water daily, benefiting more than 200,000 residents across the town and its surrounding areas.
Combined with the county-led borehole programs and rural water schemes, the operationalization of Kimugu represents a major step forward in advancing reliable, inclusive and sustainable water access, reinforcing the county’s commitment to bridging service gaps and improving the quality of life for all residents, regardless of their location or socio-economic status.
By Kibe Mburu and Kibet Daniel
