A sustained community-driven water initiative spearheaded by Tinderet parliamentary aspirant Walter Kipkemei aims at ensuring access to clean and safe water for residents of Kibukwo Location in Tinderet Sub County.
Kipkemei has intensified the supply and installation of water pipes to underserved communities, with his latest intervention targeting Kibukwo East Self-Help Group and Transformer Group.
The two groups have already begun laying the groundwork for connecting the pipes to reliable water sources, a move expected to ease chronic water shortages in the area.
For years, many households in Kibukwo have relied on distant streams and seasonal water points, often forcing residents, especially women and children, to spend hours in search of water. The ongoing project is set to significantly reduce that burden while improving hygiene and sanitation standards.
Speaking during the handover of the pipes, Kipkemei underscored the importance of investing in basic services, noting that access to clean water is central to community development. “This is about dignity and health for our people. Every household deserves access to clean and safe water,” he said.
The initiative has also been extended to benefit institutions within the locality, including the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) and African Inland Church (AIC) congregations. Church leaders welcomed the development, saying it would greatly improve sanitation and support their day-to-day activities.
A leader from one of the beneficiary churches noted that, “We have struggled with water for a long time, and this support will go a long way in ensuring our members have a conducive environment.”
Members of Kibukwo East Self-Help Group expressed gratitude for the intervention, describing it as timely and impactful. A group representative said the project would change lives at the grassroots level. “We have been waiting for such an opportunity. This will save time and also improve our livelihoods,” the representative said.
Similarly, members of Transformer Group said the availability of water would open up opportunities for small-scale farming and other income-generating activities. One member remarked that, “With reliable water, we can even start kitchen gardens and improve food security in our homes.”
He reiterated his commitment to expanding the initiative to other parts of Tinderet Sub County, noting that the current phase is only the beginning of a wider plan. “We will continue reaching more households and institutions. Our goal is to ensure no community is left behind,” he said.
Residents and local leaders praised the initiative, pointing out that community involvement in the project would enhance sustainability and ownership. They expressed optimism that continued efforts of this nature would significantly improve living standards across the sub-county.
The water project adds to a growing list of grassroots interventions being rolled out in the area, as leaders and aspirants increasingly focus on practical solutions aimed at addressing the immediate needs of residents.
By Sammy Mwibanda
