Project brings relief for villagers in Kenya

Residents of Kipsebwa village in western Kenya's Nandi Hills, which was facing a severe water shortage, are smiling, thanks to the launch of a cutting-edge water treatment and supply facility in the village that provides clean water for domestic use.

Launched by Kenyan President William Ruto in August, the $3 million project, funded and built by China Railway No 10 Engineering Group, entailed the establishment of massive water tanks. It also involved the rehabilitation and upgrading of the existing water distribution system within the village, water kiosks and three ablution blocks, as well as the development of a new water source at the nearby river.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Ruto said the project is currently supplying 250,000 liters of water every day to 1,000 households, adding the project will be expanded to benefit at least 10,000 households over the next three years.

Ma Qiwen, project manager of China Railway No 10 Engineering Group, said the project, a part of China's Belt and Road Initiative, seeks to uplift Kenya's livelihood development.

"The goal is to ensure the community and its environs have access to clean water for domestic usage, which will help prevent waterborne diseases."

Ma said more new water treatment plants are being built in the coastal areas of Kenya.

Like many other areas in Kenya, there is a shortage of clean water due to lack of water treatment facilities. For decades, the locals in Nandi Hills have been forced to use contaminated water for domestic purposes, posing health risks.

Janet Tarus, a mother of four in Kipsebwa village, could not hide her joy of having access to clean water.

She says the water facility is like a dream come true for her and her family. Previously, she had to travel 15 kilometers to fetch 20 liters of clean water for domestic usage which was not enough for the family, she said. Now, she can get clean water within a few minutes from her home.

Lawrence Bett, a village elder, said that previously the villagers had difficulty in getting clean water.

"For decades, our children suffered from cholera and bilharzia diseases as a result of drinking contaminated water from the local river, but now we do not need to worry anymore because the Chinese have connected our houses with clean water," he said.

Schools benefited

He also said the schools in the area have been connected to the county water pipeline, a move he terms as vital for providing students with more time to spend time in the class.

"Previously, the school-going children were not able to concentrate in class because once they got back home, they were tasked with fetching water kilometers away. But now with the majority of the homes connected to clean water, we are going to see tremendous improvement in their performance," he said.

The clean water project has also inspired some villagers to venture into agribusiness.

Gladys Jerobon and other women in the village plan to start a plant nursery project, which will help them earn a decent living and contribute to the welfare of their families.

Jepkosgei Tai, who owns a dairy farm, used to pay $200 every month to purchase water from a nearby vendor. She found it expensive.

Now that her home is connected to the water supply line, her water bill has been reduced by more than half. "The water bill used to eat into my profits, but now that I am connected to the supply line, I can invest the extra cash into acquiring more animal feed."The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.