Locals of Obambo and Usenge in Central Alego Ward have breathed a sigh of relief after an NGO - Tweed Shire Council - and the County Government of Siaya completed a 9-kilometer pipeline extension meant to provide clean and safe water for domestic use. Gona Obambo Community Water Project and Tinga Obambo Community Water Project draw water from Siaya-Bondo Water Project run by Siaya-Bondo Water and Sanitation Company (SIBOWASCO). The connection of pipes linking homesteads is on course. The project will enable more than 20,000 homesteads access piped water for the first time since independence.
“Water to the residents is drawn from Siaya-Bondo Water Project, which sources its water from Ndanu Falls in Gem Subcounty, and there is also Abura Dam project in Siaya Township Ward, which will ensure there is a steady supply of the commodity,” said SIBOWASCO Managing Director Isaiah Wasonga Adipo. Adipo further said that water will also be provided at local market centres (Usenge and Obambo) to improve sanitation and help people operating businesses access clean water. Also to benefit from the connection to clean drinking water is Obambo Primary School.
Crispin Ogonjo, one of the strategists behind the proposal sent to donors from Australia, said they have installed water kiosks to enable residents access water even as other potential customers work on modalities that will see their homes connected with water.
Locals, Mary Atieno and Francis Okwiri, lauded the partnership that has relieved them from water distress. “We no longer depend on salty water from Tinga or Gona Dams,” noted Okwiri. Okwiri added that the project will ensure constant supply of water to the residents.
On her part, the CECM for Water, Sanitation, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Prof. Jacqueline Oduol, stressed the Nyalore Administration’s dedication to connect Siaya residents with clean water. “Usenge, Obambo, Gendro and Kanyaboli areas of Central Alego Ward have been lacking piped water but the government is committed to providing clean water not only to the areas but also other parts of the county,” said Prof. Oduol.
Connection of water pipes to local homes will be undertaken by a local water firm. The CECM further said that the area is now open to irrigated agriculture. The project will enable families to engage in irrigation farming. “We want to thank Tweed Shire Council for coming to our aid and supporting the water project. As a county government, the resources are never enough to implement water projects and by donor support, we achieve our water agenda,” said Prof. Oduol. She urged other communities to follow up and undertake proposals to other donors even as they explore other avenues that will see pipeline extensions enhanced in Siaya to increase water coverage to 65% by 2027.
Speaking at the same occasion, Central Alego MCA David Ragen said local residents have been delighted that the project will relieve them of the challenges of sourcing water from dams. “It is a great time for the people of Central Ward, as they have been struggling to fetch water from dams, which are far. Some of the water sources are not clean, thus exposing the locals to the risk of contracting waterborne diseases,” Ragen said. The legislator said the water will also support operations of Obambo Market which is under construction. He thanked the County Government of Siaya and Tweed Shire Council for implementing the water project. Mr Ragen promised to follow up and ensure all households receive tapped water. He said his office will also lobby for homesteads of the elderly and the persons living with disabilities to be given first priority in water connections.
The leaders spoke during the inspection visit by the Australian Delegation led by Raymond Musgrave. Musgrave said that resources that have implemented the project was contributions from well-wishers from their country. “We are happy to see tangible projects on the ground and resources have been spent prudently,” said Musgrave. The inspection team from Tweed Shire Council also included Nigel Robson, Megan Dele, Kerrie Mc Connel, and Amanda Mugrare.