Commissioning of Mzee Wanyama

4TH CALL URBAN PROJECT CONCEPT (UPC) held at Nairobi Road Primary.

Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company Ltd continue to embrace the words envisaged in their vision and mission by reaching the underserved community in the Low Income Areas. On 19th September 2013, at Nairobi Road Primary, the Mzee Wanyama 4th Call Urban Project Concept funded by WSTF was commissioned.The commissioning was attended by the County Minister for Environment, Natural resources, water and energy- Hon. Richard Kipsang Rop; County Directo- Water and Irrigation – Eng. Johnson Kamau, Water Services Trust Fund representative- Eng. Priscilla Munyiri; MCA Mwariki -Humprey Mwaniki; CEO Rift Valley Water Services Board (RVWSB)- Eng. Japheth Mutai, Chairman of the Technical Committee -Eng. Mugania; Eng. John Cheruiyot- MD NAWASSCO, representatives of the provincial administration, members of the community and NAWASSCO Staff Members.

As a corporate entity, the company has a mission to serve people in low income areas. NAWASSCO established a pro-poor unit that seeks to coordinate company-wide efforts to provide ±175,000 people in Nakuru’s Low Income Areas (LIAs) with access to safe water and improved sanitation. The MajiData survey (Water Services Trust Fund, 2009) estimates the number of people without access to safe water and improved sanitation at 53,000 people (22%) and 65,000 (38%) respectively.Mzee Wanyama is one of the Low income areas in Nakuru County consisting of more than 16,500 residents. The area has challenges accessing clean safe water and it has been relying on individual and communal boreholes.

The 4th Call UPC project funded by Water Services Trust Fund has enabled NAWASSCO to construct 5 water Kiosks that will benefit more than 6,000 residents of Mzee Wanyama and 16,500 Meter pipeline extension that will benefit the same number of people.The project which commenced in February 2013 is valued at Ksh 16,929,043.The water from boreholes and vendors is not safe as it contains high amounts of fluoride and other contamination which are harmful and can cause health problems. The project has therefore had a positive impact to the community by providing affordable water through Kiosks which have reduced distance and time used for drawing water for some residents, access to clean and safe water provided by NAWASSCO and improved sanitation and hygiene.During the commissioning, the Managing Director NAWASSCO appreciated WSTF for availing the funds to reach the underserved in the Low Income Areas. “We as NAWASSCO are happy to commission this project today; it forms part of our historical milestone”In his speech Eng. Mugania – the technical committee chairman noted that NAWASSCO shows eagerness to serve through equity, social justice and in a non-discriminative approach.

He said that the project demonstrated the inclusiveness described in Kenya’s constitution (2010). “Now that we have this project, let us guard the infrastructure against vandalism and own them”.One of the beneficiaries of the project, Richard Kabugi- Head Teacher Mburu Gichua Primary School- was happy about the project that has met the particular need of the community. “People in this community were being exploited by water vendors but now we have affordable, clean and safe water.” “The children faced health problems because of unsafe water and they also travelled long distances to draw water”. NAWASSCO also continues to join the government in creating Jobs as noted by the Municipal County Assembly Member for Mwarika. Mr. Mwanika noted that through the project, “many community members were employed and benefited during the construction of the infrastructure and the water kiosks attendants now selling the water”. Water Services Trust Fund (WSTF) has been supporting NAWASSCO on improving access to safe and clean water for residents in the Low Income Area’s in Nakuru for over 3 years.

Pricilla Munyiri, an Engineer in Sanitation and representative of WSTF expressed her joy by thanking Rift Valley Water Services Board (RVWSB) and NAWASSCO for the great work and appreciated the cooperation of the community. “We will continue to work with NAWASSCO especially in sanitation in a project for Up scaling Basic Sanitation for the urban poor project”.The County minister for environment, natural resources, water and energy reiterated the MD’s words and thanked WSTF and NAWASSCO for the great development in the area. “Water is the driving force for everything and I am very grateful to NAWASSCO and WSTF for this brilliant idea to provide water to this community”The function culminated in a ribbon cutting ceremony at the water kiosk at Nairobi Road Primary after which members of the community lead by the County Minister and other guests drew water from the kiosk.