President William Ruto has launched a major water and sanitation project in Kisumu, saying the Sh8.4 billion investment will help expand sewerage capacity and improve access to clean water in the lakeside city.
Speaking in Kisumu during the launch of the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Project, Ruto said the programme would address longstanding sewerage challenges in the city, including the need to expand the existing sewer system.
He said a new major sewerage system would be developed in Nyamasaria as part of efforts to increase Kisumu’s capacity to handle wastewater.
“We are starting a major project and sewer system in Nyamasaria. It will cost Sh8.4 billion to ensure that the issues of sewerage are addressed,” Ruto said.
He said the project would double Kisumu’s sewerage capacity while also increasing water coverage across the city under the programme.
Ruto said the programme would be implemented in three phases, with the first phase already launched (today)and the second phase ongoing.
He said the third phase would be announced next week.
“Within this programme, we are increasing water coverage. Phase One is what we have launched, Phase Two is going on, and Phase Three we will announce next week to ensure that Kisumu City has water and sewerage,” he said.
The President said the government was working to ensure Kisumu had sufficient capacity for both water supply and sewerage management.
“In Kisumu here we are constructing affordable housing, and we want enough capacity for sewer and water in Kisumu county."
He linked the investment to his administration’s broader development agenda for Nyanza, saying the region would not be left behind in the distribution of national development projects.
Ruto said the government was also investing heavily in roads in Kisumu County, with Sh20 billion allocated to road projects.
He said about 270 kilometres of new roads were being constructed within Kisumu City. “I promised you that Kisumu will not be left behind in development,” Ruto said.
The President said the investments were part of a broader effort to move the country away from tribal politics and focus on development.
“We agreed that if we plan the development of Kenya, we must complete the politics of discrimination and tribalism,” he said.
Ruto is on a four-day tour of Nyanza, during which he is expected to inspect, launch and commission various development projects across Kisumu, Siaya, Migori and Homa Bay counties.
