China brings smiles, water to Kenyan village

Residents of Kipsebwa village in Nandi Hills, western Kenya, are smiling following the launch of a cutting-edge water treatment and supply facility in the village that provides clean water for domestic use.

Launched by Kenyan President William Ruto in August, the $3 million water project, funded by African Development Bank and built by China Railway No 10 Engineering Group Ltd, entails the establishment of massive water tanks. It also involves the rehabilitation and upgrading of the existing water distribution system within the town, water kiosks and three ablution blocks, and development of a new water source on the nearby Mekong River.

Speaking at the launch ceremony of the project in Kipsebwa, Ruto said the project is currently supplying 250,000 liters of water a day to 1,000 households, adding that the project will be expanded to benefit at least 10,000 households in three years.

Ma Qiwen, project manager of China Railway No 10 Engineering Group Ltd, said the water project responds to China's Belt and Road Initiative, which seeks to uplift Kenya's livelihood development.

"The goal is to ensure that the community and its environs have access to clean water for domestic usage, which will help prevent waterborne diseases."

Ma said more new water treatment plants are being constructed in coastal parts of Kenya.

Like many other areas in Kenya, there is a scarcity of clean water access due to the lack of water treatment facilities. For decades the locals in Nandi Hills have been forced to use contaminated water for domestic use, posing health risks.

Janet Tarus, a mother of four in Kipsebwa, was unable to hide her joy at having access to clean water due to the facility.

She said the facility is a dream come true for her and the family. Earlier, she had to travel 15 kilometers to fetch 20 liters of clean water for domestic usage, which was not enough for the family, while now she can get clean water easily within a few minutes away from her home, she said.

Lawrence Bett, a village elder in Kipsebwa, said previously villages in the area faced challenges in addressing the clean water shortage.

"For decades our children suffered from cholera and bilharzia diseases as a result of drinking contaminated water from the local river but now we do not need to worry anymore because the Chinese have connected our houses with clean water," Lawrence said.

He also pointed out that the schools in the area have also been connected to the county waterline, a move he termed as vital in creating ample time for learners to spend more time in class.

"Previously, the school-going children were not able to concentrate in class because once they got back home, they were tasked with fetching water from kilometers away, but now, with the majority of the homes connected to clean water, we are going to see a tremendous improvement in their performance," he said.

The availability of the clean water project has also inspired some villagers to venture into agribusiness.

Gladys Jerobon and other women in Kipsebwa village now plan to start a tree nursery project. This will help them to earn a decent living and also contribute to the welfare of their families.

Due to her ownership of a dairy farm, Jepkosgei Tai used to pay $200 monthly to buy water from a nearby vendor, which she thought was very expensive.

Now that her home is connected to the water supply line, her water bill has fallen by more than a half. "This water bill used to eat into my profits, but now that I am connected to the supply line, I can invest the extra cash into acquiring more animal feed."