Principal Secretary for Water and Sanitation Julius Korir has said Eldoret City is set to receive an additional 21,000 cubic metres of water daily upon completion of the Kipkaren Water Supply Project in Kapseret Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County.

Korir said the additional supply would significantly reduce the water deficit in Eldoret, which currently receives about 40,000 cubic metres of water per day against an estimated demand of 70,000 cubic metres.

Speaking during an inspection of the Kipkaren Water Supply Project in Kapseret Sub-County, in Uasin Gishu, the PS said the project, being implemented under the North Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency, would deliver a total of 24,000 cubic metres of treated water daily, with 3,000 cubic metres allocated to Mosoriot in Nandi County and the remaining 21,000 cubic metres supplied to Eldoret.

“The project in total will deliver 24,000 cubic metres per day, of which 3,000 will be given to Mosoriot to serve the people of Mosoriot in Nandi, and then the balance of 21,000 cubic metres will be serving Eldoret,” said Korir.

Upon completion, the project will channel treated water into the existing distribution network, improving water supply to residents of Kapseret, Eldoret International Airport, Racecourse, Upper Elgon View and Langas in Uasin Gishu County, as well as Mlango, Lelmokwo and Mosoriot in Nandi County.

The project, which includes completion of a conventional water treatment plant with a capacity of 24,375 cubic metres per day, construction of a rising main and storage facilities, is currently 80 per cent complete.

Korir affirmed that works resumed in February after the project had stalled for more than four years at 48 per cent completion, adding that the remaining works were progressing according to schedule.

The main storage tank at Oletebes has a capacity of 100,000 cubic metres, while an adjacent 500-cubic-metre tank will help create the pressure required to distribute water to households.

Principal Secretary for Water and Sanitation Julius Korir (grey shirt), accompanied by officials from the North Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency and other stakeholders, assesses additional sewerage works under the Eldoret Sewerage Last Mile Connectivity Project, which is 50 per cent complete, in Kapseret Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County.

Korir noted concreting of the main tank was expected to be completed by October 20, followed by a curing period of about 20 days before water-holding tests are conducted in November.

“Over the last six months when we resumed work in February, we have taken the physical progress to 80 per cent. We are on schedule to have the project completely finished by December 31,” he said.

The PS added that the pipeline from the Kipkaren Water Treatment Plant near Eldoret International Airport to the project site was complete, while the rising main towards Mosoriot and the storage facilities were nearing completion.

He said the Ministry was also exploring expansion of the Chebara water supply system, including construction of a second pipeline, to meet increasing demand occasioned by population growth and migration into Eldoret.

“At the moment, we are supplying Eldoret with around 40,000 cubic metres per day from Chebara and other sources against a demand of about 70,000,” said Korir.

During the inspection tour, Korir also assessed additional works under the Eldoret Sewerage Last Mile Connectivity Project, which is currently 50 per cent complete.

The additional sewerage works are expected to serve up to 10,000 people and are scheduled for completion by December, expanding access to reliable sanitation services for residents.

The projects are part of government efforts to expand access to water and sanitation services and improve living conditions for communities in Uasin Gishu and neighbouring Nandi County.

By Fredrick Maritim