West Pokot County has completed two major sewerage projects worth over Sh1 billion, aimed at improving sanitation, supporting urban growth, and attracting investment. The projects, implemented jointly with the North Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency, were funded by the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank. The Chepareria Sewerage Project, completed last year, and the Kapenguria-Makutano Sewerage Project, completed this year, are awaiting commissioning by President William Ruto.
The Kapenguria-Makutano project cost Sh759 million, while the Chepareria sewerage system cost Sh251 million. The projects are designed to serve a projected population of 50,000 in Kapenguria-Makutano and 15,000 in Chepareria by 2040. Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency Chief Executive Officer Douglas Murei stated that the projects would significantly improve sanitation in the county.
To support the sewerage infrastructure, the agency handed over a newly acquired exhauster to the county water company, valued at Sh12 million, alongside laboratory equipment and other components. The exhauster will provide immediate sanitation services as the county awaits full commissioning of the sewerage infrastructure. Murei emphasized that cleanliness is crucial in every village, county, and town.
Kapenguria Water and Sewerage Company (KAWASES) Managing Director Festus Tingaa noted that the new exhauster would ease the burden on residents and institutions in accessing sanitation services. Previously, schools had to seek exhauster services from Kitale and Eldoret, increasing costs and inconvenience. The exhauster will enable schools and residents to access sanitation services locally at an affordable cost.
The completion of the Kapenguria and Chepareria sewerage systems is expected to address one of the major infrastructure challenges limiting the expansion of the two urban centres. Tingaa stated that the anticipated water supply from the Muruny project would enable the sewerage systems to become operational, improving sanitation in Kapenguria, Chepareria, and Kacheliba.
Tingaa attributed the increasing demand for sanitation services to rural-urban migration, as more residents move into towns following the expansion of devolved services. He appealed to investors who had been hesitant to establish businesses in West Pokot to reconsider, citing the anticipated improvement in water supply. The new exhauster is expected to provide an interim solution to sanitation challenges as the county prepares for the full operationalisation of the sewerage infrastructure.
The improved sanitation services are expected to support economic growth and attract investment in West Pokot County. With the completion of the sewerage projects and the acquisition of the exhauster, the county is poised to address its sanitation challenges and improve the overall quality of life for its residents.
Key points
- West Pokot County completes two major sewerage projects worth over Sh1 billion to improve sanitation and support urban growth.
- The projects, implemented jointly with the North Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency, were funded by the Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank.
- The new exhauster will provide immediate sanitation services as the county awaits full commissioning of the sewerage infrastructure.
