World Bank to finance water project in Kenyan town

The World Bank has signed a financing agreement with the Lake Victoria North Water Services Board to provide KES1.72bn ($19m) for a water project in the town of Eldoret, Kenya.

The new water project is planned to address the water crisis in the Eldoret region and provide an adequate supply to meet future demand.

Daily demand for water in the town is approximately 40,000m³, whereas the current production is around 32,000m³.

Eldoret’s new project is expected to produce 19,000m³ of water to address the water problem and to meet anticipated future demand.

The project will mainly depend on water supply from Kapseret dam and Kaptagat-Elegarini.

The Kapseret dam and Elgarini are expected to add 10,000m³ and 9,000m³ of water into the Eldoret main grid respectively.

The Elgarini intake will increase following the expansion of Kapsoya treatment plant to accommodate the additional supply.

Eldoret Water Services Company managing director Reuben Tuei said the project would increase supply in the town and end the rationing of water.

"The financing agreement has already been signed between the World Bank and the water board, including the terms of reference and guidelines for the consultants to do the design work," he said.

"Lucky enough, the Kipkaren source is already a dam and what remains is setting up a water treatment plant and a pipeline to transport water to town by pumping, since it is at a low gravity area."

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Image: World Bank has agreed to fund a water project that will address the water deficit in the town of Eldoret, Kenya. Photo: courtesy of Free Digital Photos.