The Ministry of Water and Sanitation, the World Bank, and Migori County have launched a four-year Kenya Water Sanitation and Hygiene (K-WASH) programme to enhance county residents’ access to clean water and sanitation.
K-WASH Project Coordinator Elly Ochere, who represented Principal Secretary Julius Korir during a courtesy call at the Governor’s Ochilo Ayacko Office, said that the K-WASH programme will also be implemented in 18 other counties to address sanitation and water challenges, as well as eliminate open defecation.
Ochere explained that even though the National Water Sanitation and the Investment and Financing Plan (NAWASIP) has been costed by the World Bank, the country is in need of more finances to adequately address water access and sanitation in the country.
“We have been financed by the World Bank that has funded NAWASIP but the country needs Sh. 998 billion to ensure universal access to water and sanitation services to citizens across the country,” emphasized Ochere.
The coordinator added that the State Department for Water and Sanitation Services will be working closely with the 19 counties to ensure that water and sanitation services are addressed to improve the living standards of the residents.
Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko disclosed that the K-WASH programme is a result-based initiative that will address challenges of sanitation, water and health needs affecting social amenities and individual households.
Ochilo noted that his administration would continue to work hard to maintain the county’s sanitation by prioritizing provision of water and good sanitation to improve population health.
He added that the transformative initiative would not only enhance access to clean water and sanitation in Migori but also provide the same across the country before the Vision 2030.
Ochilo also stressed that his administration was fully committed to supporting K-WASH through leveraging the county’s strengths including low open defecation rates, high rural toilet penetration, and ongoing water projects in partnership with other stakeholders.
He stressed that his administration aims to ensure county residents gain reliable access to clean water and improved sanitation to enhance their quality of life.
Recently, Rotary International supervised by the host club – Rotary Club (RC) Suna-Migori funded two new water projects in Migori County at a cost of Sh. 9.5 million that are already benefiting 2,000 households in various villages based in Nyatike and Suna West Sub Counties.
By Beryl Akinyi and Makokha Khaoya
