World Vision and KenGen Commission Masonry Water Tank to Boost Clean Water Access in Nakuru County

Salgaa, Nakuru, 5 June 2024 –  In a significant stride towards improving clean water access in Nakuru County, World Vision and KenGen have inaugurated a masonry water tank valued at USD 5447.47 (KES 700,000). The tank, with a capacity of 30,000 litres, was officially commissioned on World Environment Day, marked by the unveiling of the facility and the planting of 1,000 tree seedlings donated by KenGen.

This new facility aims to address the critical water needs of the Mimwatia community and will benefit over 350 children from the local school and neighbouring Salgaa town, an area plagued by water scarcity and related vulnerabilities.

The lack of clean water in six Salgaa schools has exposed children to water-borne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, diarrhoea, and typhoid. Many of these students come from low-income households and often have to skip school to search for water.

A 2020 needs assessment revealed that the Mimwatia community depends on the seasonal and contaminated Rongai River for water, located 3-5 kilometres away. The installation of the new tank will significantly reduce this dependence, providing a stable supply of clean water and enhancing rainwater harvesting capabilities.

KenGen Managing Director & CEO Eng. Peter Njenga emphasised the profound impact of improved water access on education and health in the Mimwatia school community. “I am elated that today KenGen is part of the solution through the construction of this 30,000-litre rainwater harvesting tank in partnership with World Vision Kenya. This initiative is not just about providing water; it is about ensuring that children can focus on their education, stay healthy, and realize their full potential. Because we believe education is an equalizer and enabler in life.” he said.

Eng. Njenga added that KenGen is deeply committed to environmental stewardship, demonstrated by its extensive tree planting programs. Last year alone, KenGen planted over 350,000 tree seedlings. By March this year, the organisation had already planted more than 270,000 trees, with an additional 180,000 seedlings planned for this quarter.

Fredrick Kasiku, Programme Effectiveness and Impact Director at World Vision Kenya, expressed gratitude to KenGen for their investment, stating, "Our assessment revealed a concerning trend in water accessibility and rainwater harvesting in Salgaa. This collaboration with KenGen and the Mimwatia community represents a significant step towards enhancing health and education outcomes. Through our Inuka Angaza Fund’s, a Kenyan funded program in Salgaa, we aim to address critical issues such as water scarcity, education, health, and child protection in the area.”

Catherine Karime, Headteacher at Mimwatia Primary School, hailed the new tank as a transformative investment. "This will greatly improve our sanitation, reduce costs, and allow us to establish a kitchen garden to supplement school meals. Better rainwater harvesting will also support our efforts in combating climate change," she said.

The Kenya National Water and Sanitation Investment and Financing Plan (NAWASIP) indicates that Kenya’s Water and Sanitation Sector faces a substantial funding gap of Ksh. 652 billion as it strives to reach Sustainable Development Goal number 6, which seeks to guarantee universal access to safe and sustainable water and sanitation management for all by the year 2030.

Since 1974, World Vision has led transformative initiatives in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) across Kenya, through strategic partnerships and a multi-sectoral approach. Similarly, KenGen's Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives focus on three core pillars education, water & sanitation and environmental conservation for sustainable growth and community development.Amidst these challenges, organizations like World Vision Kenya and KenGen play a crucial role in driving transformative change in the WASH sectors. To address significant annual budgetary deficits and climatic uncertainties, Kenya must enhance innovative financing through such partnerships to promote universal water access by 2030.

ENDS//

About World Vision Kenya:

World Vision is a child-focused Christian, humanitarian, advocacy and development organisation dedicated to improving the well-being of children, families and communities in Kenya. The organisation implements sustainable development projects in child protection, education, health, food security, economic empowerment, as well as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), while also providing emergency relief to people affected by natural or human created disaster. World Vision has a vast reach in Kenya. Its transformative development initiatives are spread across 37 counties nationwide. The organisation serves all people regardless of their religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

For more information, contact:

Susan Nyamai, World Vision Kenya

Email: susan_nyamai@wvi.org , Phone Number: +254729803214