Kakamega County has moved to shield residents from contaminated drinking water as communities brace for the anticipated El Niño rains, with flood-prone areas identified as potential hotspots for waterborne diseases.
The county’s Department of Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change has received four Inline Chlorination (ILC) gadgets and chlorine tablets to strengthen emergency water treatment and protect communities whose water sources could be contaminated by heavy rains and flooding.
The equipment was donated by Evidence Action through its Safe Water Now (SWN) programme and handed over on Monday by a delegation led by Programme Coordinator Joel Ouma during a courtesy visit to County Executive Committee Member for Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Peninah Mukabane.
The intervention comes as the county steps up preparedness for the expected heavy rains, with officials warning of the risks posed by contaminated water following flooding.
“As the county government of Kakamega, we expect to have long rains according to the weatherman and the equipment will be more beneficial to the affected residents,” Mukabane acknowledged.
Photo|CECM Peninah Mukabane
Among the areas singled out for urgent attention is Shibale in Mumias West Sub-County, where the county wants the new chlorination equipment installed to safeguard residents against contamination of water sources during heavy rains.
Chief Officer for Water and Sanitation Dr Mariam Were called for the installation of the ILC gadgets in flood-prone areas.
“The equipment would strengthen the county’s ability to provide safe water when flooding threatens existing supplies,” Mariam Were said.
Evidence Action has already partnered with Kakamega County to improve access to safe drinking water through its SWN programme.
The organisation has installed chlorine dispensers at Mwihila-Emulore and Mwihila-Eshikhambi water projects in Khwisero Sub-County, Musoli Water Project in Ikolomani Sub-County and Lubao Water Project in Lurambi Sub-County.
Photo|CECM Peninah Mukabane, Chief Officer Mariam Were and Officials from Evidence Action.
Receiving the donation, Mukabane praised Evidence Action for its continued support, saying the partnership complements Governor Fernandes Barasa’s water and sanitation agenda.
“Reliable access to safe water remains crucial to the welfare of residents, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall when flooding can expose communities to contaminated water,”Mukabane said.
The latest intervention is expected to boost Kakamega’s preparedness as the county positions itself to respond to water and sanitation challenges that could arise from the anticipated rains.
Also present during the handover were Director for Water and Sanitation Eng. Fred Atwa and officials from Evidence Action.
With flood-prone communities now under focus, the county is banking on early water-treatment measures to prevent a surge in water contamination and protect residents as the rains intensify.