MAJI KWA WOTE
Theme: Water and Jobs
To us, water provision is catalyst for social and economic growth.
H.E. Dr. Cleophas Lagat,
Governor, Nandi County.
This year’s World Water Day celebrations are particularly significant to our County. The occasion fits well into our vision of providing clean, affordable and
sustainable water to residents.
The slogan, “Better Water, Better Jobs”, speaks for the strategic vision of my government. We have pursued the provision of clean, piped water with the aim of transforming lives through economic activities that are essential for changing lives.
Water is the essential building block of life. It is more than just essential to quench thirst or protect health. Water is vital for creating jobs and supporting economic, social and human development.
I am glad that my government took the water supply initiative a notch higher. I am more delighted that we shall sustain it.
Our hands are firmly on the deck and our feet on the saddle as we endeavour to beat datelines in the provision of this crucial commodity to homesteads.
In Nandi County, we are cognizant of the fact that water generates economic benefit and contributes to social development. Water helps in the environmental conservation. Water for all is achievable.
We are determined to transform our towns into modern, attractive and functional urban areas with assured security, water, good transport network and proper planning and housing.
My county government is thus committed to the following:
i. Increasing financial resources for implementing water and sanitation programmes;
ii. Developing markets for investments in the water and sanitation sectors;
iii. Mobilising increased donor and other financing for water and sanitation initiatives.
Today’s celebrations have coincided with the commissioning of Kimaren water project, a significant development in our water provision road map.
First and foremost, this water will ensure 24 hours of portable water supply to the residents of Kimaren and adjacent villages. The Ram Pump technology at play in this project is cost-effective, requires limited maintenance and is durable. It uses hydro power to pump over 175,000 litres per day. This piped water will result in good sanitation, improvement of hygiene, reduced cases of water borne diseases and diversification in investment.
Additionally, we have at least four projects going on in each of the 30 wards in the county. The projects are in advanced stages of completion. When ready, our piped water intake will rise from the current 39 per cent to 50 per cent. This will have massive impacts on the socio-economic status of our county.
The provision of water is therefore an inspirational subject for all residents to focus on transforming their lives for the good of our county.
I want to thank our partners in the water sector for their moral and material support, particularly the Water Services Trust Fund, Lake Victoria North Water Services Board, Lake Victoria Environmental Management Programme (LVEMP), Lake Victoria South Water Services Board, SNV Netherlands, World Vision and Lake Basin Development Authority. These partners have given us both financial and technical support for improved access to clean water.
I have great confidence that the partnerships will result in adequate provision of affordable water for our people, given the massive outlay required in these water projects.
As we toil, we can all have the satisfaction of knowing that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Water.
H.E Dominic Biwott
Deputy Governor, Nandi County
Working to ensure all our water towers are protected.
The World Water Day is a very special day to us as a government because we are not only joining the rest of the world in celebrating the numerous strides realised in managing world’s number one resource – Water – but also using this day to reflect on our endeavours to provide clean water for every resident of our beloved county.
Our county is strategically located on the highlands of the Great Rift Valley, which is the bladder of many rivers that serve the famous Lake Victoria and the River Nile. Cognizant of this natural endowment, we as a county government have since the inception of our devolved unit moved to protect all springs that serve as the sources of these rivers.
With a forest cover currently standing at 19 per cent, our county is second nationally after Nyeri. We are working tirelessly to achieve a 30-40 per cent forest cover as envisaged in our county integrated development plan (CIDP), and thus making a huge contribution to the national target of 10 per cent forest cover as contained in the vision 2030 blueprint.We have therefore been funding a tree plantation exercise, with more than one million indigenous trees having been earmarked for plantation within the next one year. This will go a long way in ensuring that all our water towers are fully protected. These activities go hand in hand with job creation for our people, in line with the World Water Day 2016 theme of “Water and Jobs”. Our bid to provide clean water for every household within the county and to protect springs have automatically created hundreds of jobs to our youth.
Amid a number of challenges though, the county government of Nandi is working round the clock with its residents in providing adequate knowledge on the protection of wetlands and avoidance of cultivation along riparian areas.
Dr John Kipkorir Chumo
CEC for Lands, Environment and Natural Resources, Nandi County
IN THE PIPELINE: COUNTY WATER BILL TO ADDRESS MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
Almost 1.5 billion people in the world today work in water related sectors. Nearly all jobs depend on water and the people who ensure its safe delivery. It is on this premise that this year’s World Water Day theme focuses on “Water and Jobs”, For instance, how water quantity and quality can change workers’ lives and livelihoods, and even transform economies and societies.
As the world celebrates this year’s World Water Day, the Nandi County Department of Lands, Environment and Natural Resources joins likeminded organisations and individuals in appreciating the contribution of this priceless commodity to economic growth, poverty reduction and environmental sustainability.
The provision of clean and portable water is devolved to the counties. The County Government of Nandi, through the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP), prioritised the provision of safe and portable water to the residents. This led to the development of a five-year water and sanitation strategic plan (2015-2019) with the support of SNV-Netherlands.
The department has continued to allocate resources every financial year, helping to increase water access from 13 per cent to about 39 per cent in the last three years, hence creating additional water related jobs.The department continues to work closely with other partners, including Water Services Trust Fund and Lake Victoria North Water Services Board among others in the provision portable water.
Notable challenges that hamper safe delivery of this resource include insufficient financial resources, wetlands and catchment degradation, environmental pollution and climate change among others.
The department is in the process of developing a County Water Bill, which will address the management of water resources in the County. I hereby encourage all of us to work closely in ensuring the safe provision and delivery of water in order to create better jobs.
God bless Kenya, God bless Nandi County.
Mr. Anthony Kiboy
Managing Director
WHAT KANAWASCO IS DOING TO MEET RISING WATER DEMAND
The Managing Director, KANAWASCO Kapsabet Nandi Water and Sanitation Company (KANAWASCO) was incorporated in December 2006 under the Company Act, Cap 286 of the Laws of Kenya. Following the implementation of the new constitution, Kapsabet scheme, which was rehabilitated in 2012, was merged with Nandi Hills scheme that had been constructed in 1948. The connections rose from 624 in 2009 before augmentation of Kapsabet water supply and merger of the two towns, to current 3445. The storage was enhanced from 945m3 to 1995m3.
KANAWASCO, whose mandate is to effectively and efficiently provide quality and affordable water, is governed by board of directors,whose membership is drawn from the stakeholders. The business is run by the corporate management team headed by the managing director. Storage capacity was enhanced to a total of 1995m3. This has enabled us to serve our consumers much more effectively. However, there is an increasing need to continuously enhance our coverage in order to be in tandem with the rising number of consumers. The growing demand is occasioned by urbanisation in both towns.
Target for Financial Year 2015/16
• Reduction of non-revenue water
from 46 per cent to 20 per cent.
• Rehabilitation of old lines in both
Kapsabet and Nandi Hills.
• Upgrading of the Billing Software.
• Construction of a modern sanitation facility at Nandi
Hills.
Long Term Objectives
• Explore the possibility of developing a gravity
Partnership with the County Government
The County Government of Nandi is the majority shareholder of the company, and as per its responsibility,offered a subsidy in the financial year 2015/16. The subsidy has gone a long way in streamlining the operations and bailing out the company by paying the electricity bills, which are usually too high.Through this partnership, KANAWASCO will receive a supply of over 1000 meters to enhance revenue collection and reduce on the non-revenue water (NRW). On behalf of the company, we appreciate this gesture and hope to scale it further in order to explore the possibility of getting gravity water from Keben dam.
Our Capacity
Following the rehabilitation of Kapsabet scheme, our scheme that is far more cost-effective compared to pumping schemes.
Challenges
• Reducing non-revenue water to manageable levels.
• Failure by some of our esteemed customers to meet their obligation by paying their bills in time and avoid accruing of arrears.
• High cost of pumping makes it difficult for the
company to break even.
• Overhauling of Nandi Hills infrastructure that was
built in 1948.
SOME OF THE WATER PROJECTS IN EACH SUB COUNTY.
MOSOP SUB-COUNTY
PROJECT 1: Sarora Water Project A pupil of St Thomas Kapkoros Primary school in Kurgung/ Surungai Ward, Mosop Sub-county, sips water from one of the project by the county Government
2016. The Sarora 100,000 litres water tank project funded by the county serves the Kaiboi, Sarora and Kurgung water lines. The county also renovated the 90,000 cubic-litre water tank that was built in 1978 but had broken down. The project has seen several schools, cattle dips and dairy farmers’ co- operative benefit from the water that flows with the aid of gravity from two Kipkoros water springs.
PROJECT 2: Mungara/Kapsato water project: A woman fetches water at a tap in Kabisaga centre, Kabisaga Ward, Mosop Sub-county. The 50,000-litre water tank was built in 2014/2015. It supplies water to 50 households, two schools (primary and a secondary school) with a population of 550 pupils, a dispensary, a church and a cattle dip at the Kabisaga centre.
CHESUMEI SUB-COUNTY
PROJECT 3: Kinoinoi water project: The 50,000 litre tank built with the financial support of the county government had initially been constructed using Constituency Development Fund (CDF), but had stalled. The project serves 40 households and
schools. The county also equipped the water pump- house located at the water source.
Some water Projects by Sub-County
PROJECT 4: Kaptendon water project: The county supported the residents in Kiptuiya by giving 2,000 water pipes covering 11kilometres. This has seen an estimated 600 households gain access to water. Some of the schools that have benefited include the Tuloi primary and secondary schools, Mwein and Kechere primary and secondary schools.
EMGWEN SUB-COUNTY
PROJECT 5: Kapkangani water tank project at Kiborgok Girls Secondary School which was funded by the county government. It serves the school and 40 households.
NANDI-HILLS SUB-COUNTY:
PROJECT 6: Kapkaititon water project, Chepkunyuk ward, Nandi Hills Sub County: This is set to serve 3000 families in the Kapkembur, Siret, Chepsetai and Kaptuma, Cheptabach and Chebinyiny villages. The county has constructed some for the tanks, but intends to construct six water tanks, each with a storage capacity of 100,000 cubic litres.
PROJECT 7: Lelwak B water projects, Chepkunyuk ward, Nandi Hills Sub County The 100,000 cubic-metre water storage tank is under construction and is expected to be in operation from next month. It will serve 500 homesteads spread in Lelwak, Himaki, Tikitiyon, Nduroto, Kapchereren and Kipkoror villages.
TINDERET SUB-COUNTY
PROJECT 8: Temso water project, Kapsimotwo ward, Tinderet Sub County The 100,000-litre water tank constructed in the financial year 2014/15 serves 1000 families in Chebilat, Kaplamaywo, Kimaran, Kapsile and Temso villages.
PROJECT 9: Kiptegaa water project, Kapsimotwo ward, Tinderet Sub-County Through the county’s support, two tanks, each with the capacity to store 100,000 litres, will serve 5,000 families spread in Kabarer, Kapsaito, Owiro A, Iboi, Kimwoki, Kiptuikeiny and Kamegunyei villages in Tinderet Sub-County.
ALDAI SUBCOUNTY:
PROJECT 10: Asurur water project, Kobujoi ward, Aldai SubCounty The ram pump installed by the county government has seen 1000 families in various villages that include Ariok, Kipsiis, Chepkoiyo and Samitui, Chepturer, Kabanga, Chepkisingin.
PROJECT 11: Atebwet water project in Kobujoi ward, Aldai Sub-County. The county has announced plans to construct a 100,000 litre water tank at AIC Chepkebuge secondary school that will serve the school, a primary school, Chebangang, Sakamon, Kibekelek and Tolilo villages. The project is projected to serve 3,000 families.
