By Faith Anene and Daniel Otieno, Kakamega
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa is pinning hopes on the revitalization of the Savona Water Project in Kakamega town, which he believes will address the municipality’s water scarcity issue by up to 80 per cent.
The project, which had stalled for several years due to high electricity costs, is now set to resume with the installation of a solar-powered pumping system.
“For years, this project stalled due to the high electricity costs associated with pumping water. With the installation of solar-powered pumps, we are taking a major step towards a sustainable, cost-effective solution,” said Barasa who spoke when National Treasury Cabinet Secretary came to inspect the progress of the project.
“We are committed to improving the lives of Kakamega residents through sustainable water solutions and climate action initiatives. This project is just one example of how we can use innovation to solve the pressing issues facing our people,” he added
Kakamega currently sources its water from Tindinyo Water Falls in Nandi County, utilizing a pipeline system that was installed back in the 1980s when the population in Kakamega municipality was just around 20,000 people.
The solarization initiative, which cost Sh34 million, was implemented by the Kakamega Water and Sanitation Company (Kacwasco). The solar-powered solution aims to reduce the high electricity bills that had previously hindered water supply to the town.
Kakamega currently sources its water from Tindinyo Water Falls in Nandi County, utilizing a pipeline system that was installed back in the 1980s when the population in Kakamega municipality was just around 20,000 people.
The population has since surged to approximately 130,000, placing increased pressure on the existing water infrastructure.
The Savona Water Project is part of a broader effort under the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) initiative, a partnership between the National Government and the County Government of Kakamega.
The FLLoCA program has attracted funding from both levels of government, with the county contributing Sh109 million and the national government providing Sh292 million for climate-related initiatives.
Mr Mbadi, the Cabinet Secretary for the Treasury, who visited Kakamega to assess the progress of the project confirmed that the solarized system will supply 6 million liters of water per day, with the capacity to increase production to 8.2 million liters per day when fully operational.
The project is being rolled out in two phases, with Phase 1 and Phase 2 expected to be completed by March 2025.
“Once fully operational, this solarized water system will not only provide 6 million liters of water per day but also has the potential to increase production to 8.2 million liters, which will be vital in supporting the growing population of Kakamega,” said Mbadi
Mbadi expressed confidence that more funds would be allocated to Kakamega for similar climate-friendly projects, emphasizing the national government’s commitment to addressing the county’s water scarcity and climate change challenges.
He further highlighted Kenya’s leadership in green energy initiatives, stating that the country is number one globally in green energy efforts, surpassing Germany, and ranks first in Africa for geothermal energy production and seventh globally. This, he explained, is why Kenya is receiving substantial grants to mitigate climate change.
“Kenya is a global leader in green energy. We have positioned ourselves as number one in the world in green energy initiatives, surpassing even Germany. This is a clear testament to our commitment to sustainable energy solutions and environmental conservation,” said Mbadi
He added: “”Our green energy initiatives, particularly in geothermal and solar power, are not only helping us reduce our carbon footprint but also positioning Kenya as a key partner in the global fight against climate change. The funds we are receiving for these projects are essential in making our country more resilient to climate-related challenges.”
