By Matilda Atieno
The County Government of Kisumu, under the leadership of Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, hosted a high-level delegation for a joint supervision mission and groundbreaking ceremony for a major water infrastructure project at Obulo in Kisumu East.
Governor Nyong’o was joined by the French Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Arnaud Suquet, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Eng. Eric Murithi Mugaa, as well as representatives from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the European Union (EU), and the European Investment Bank (EIB) delegation reviewed the progress of the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation (LVWATSAN) program, which is being implemented by the Lake Victoria South Water Works and Development Agency (LVSWWDA).
This project represents a significant milestone in the expansion of Kisumu’s water infrastructure. Its primary aim is to improve public health and ensure access to dignified water and sanitation services for the people of Kisumu. The initiative focuses on expanding the city’s water network and increasing storage capacity, and is a collaborative effort between the Government of Kenya, AFD, EIB, and the EU.
The project is set to deliver clean, reliable water to an additional 25,000 households in Kisumu City and the satellite town of Maseno. This expansion which is scheduled for completion in September 2027 will directly benefit an estimated 150,000 people, increasing Kisumu’s water coverage from 78% to 91%.
Key components of the project include, Pipelaying and installation of approximately 156 kilometers of new water pipelines to connect homes and businesses across Kisumu City and Maseno,Storage expansion with four new reservoirs in Obwolo, Bukna, and Maseno, adding 1,450 cubic meters of new water storage capacity and Borehole development through the construction of a new borehole in Maseno and the rehabilitation of an existing one to further secure the water supply.
The project officially commenced on the 1st of September 2025 under a joint venture between China Jiangxi International Cooperation Co., Ltd and China Jiangxi International Kenya Limited with a contract duration of 24 months. The positive impact of this initiative is expected to be felt for generations, ensuring a more resilient and accessible water supply for the people of Kisumu city and Maseno.
During the visit, the delegation conducted a tree planting activity and a comprehensive site inspection of previous and ongoing projects funded by the French government in Kisumu
The mission also marked the official introduction of Ms. Fariza Chalal, the new AFD Project Officer based in Nairobi. Her presence underscores the French development agency’s ongoing commitment to advancing water and sanitation initiatives in the region.