By Reuben Olita
Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency ( LVNWWDA) has received funding to the tune of Ksh300million from the African Development Bank to solve water scarcity in Teso North Sub County which has persisted for decades with no solution in sight.
Addressing mourners on Friday during the burial service of Layreader Mama Ruth Kisaka Kirori at Aleles village, Katelepai sub location, Katakwa Location, Mr Imoite assured residents that the funding will offer a near permanent solution to water challenges in one of the populous regions in the county.
The chairman said during President Dr William Ruto’s tour sometimes last year, when he commissioned the Malakisi water treatment plant, the head of state tasked him to engage ADB for funding to have water reach all residents of the Teso North region.
” Now that the water is available
” After approaching various organisations, ADB accepted our proposals and subsequently agreed to fund the project to help address water challenges facing residents of Teso North Sub County,” he said.
Imoite said out of the Ksh300m ADB funding, Ksh200m will go towards solving water scarcity in Mt Elgon, which was occasioned by water damaged pipes by residents in order to divert water to their farms for Irrigation.
Mr Imoite said that in abid to allow residents to continue with the Irrigation project, he said the Ksh200m will be used to install new pipes to channel water to other parts of Bungoma County to sought our the Mt Elgon problem.
” Ksh100m has been allocated to Teso region. Ksh50m will address the last mile go towards last mile connectivity component that will pave the way for the construction of kiosks along the route enable residents to access water at a small fee,” Imoite noted
The balance of Ksh50m will be used to improve sewerage challenges in the border town of Malaba, which had brought untold suffering to the border town residents with no solution in sight.
Imoite said they had programmed the money to be available in 2023/2024 Financial Year, but that was not possible because the president directed him to engage ADB, among other lenders, which yielded fruit with ADP funding, especially the last mile connectivity in Teso North for Malakisi-Malaba water project.
The board chairman said this might be a short time solution to solving water and sewerage challenges facing residents of Teso North Sub County, adding that the Transboundary Angololo Dam project between Kenya and Uganda, will offer a permanent solution to water and sewerage challenges, adding that water will be extended to other neighbouring sub counties upon its completion.
He added:” Families will access water once the last mile connectivity takes effect. Where the project will reach, I will
come and complete it when I become the Teso North Member of Parliament after the 2027 General election.”
Imoite said they expect everything to go according to plan that by August or September this year, everything will be in place.
Bungoma Kenya National Union of Teachers Official Dennis Masai said some promises made by governments are unrealistic, urging them to fulfil promises instead of giving pledges which sometimes don’t bear fruits.
Malaba Municipality Board chairman Julius Ekwenye announced the construction of a modern market within the municipality, urging residents to intensify agriculture and livestock production to reap from the market once it’s completed.
Busia County Secretary John Oscar Juma delivered Governor Dr Paul Nyongesa Otuoma’s condolence message to the deceased family. Ruth was the mother to Nairobi businessman and Malaba Municipality chairman Mr Julius Ekwenye and Busia County Director Human Resource Stephen David Kirori.
Anglican Church of Kenya Katakwa Diocese Bishop John Okude presided over the burial service of his Layreader, who succumbed to hypertension aged 84 years.
