Archives March 2022

MAKING THE INVISIBLE, VISIBLE: KAKAMEGA MARKS WORLD WATER DAY WITH A PROMISE OF 100% WATER CONNECTIVITY BY 2030

MAKING THE INVISIBLE, VISIBLE: KAKAMEGA MARKS WORLD WATER DAY WITH A PROMISE OF 100% WATER CONNECTIVITY BY 2030

Governor H.E Dr FCPA Wycliffe Oparanya has said his Government has put in place measures to ensure 100% water connectivity in the County by 2030.

In a speech read on his behalf by CECM for Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Madam Rhodah Masaviru during this year’s World Water Day celebrations at Kakamega County Water and Sanitation Company (KACWASCO) offices in Kakamega town, the Governor said his Government has invested resources in the sector to ensure every citizen both in urban and rural areas access clean and safe water under the ambitious ‘Amatsi Khumukuru’ programme.

“Water is a basic right that should be accessed by every citizen. My Government has put a lot of emphasis on ensuring adequate supply of water to all residents at their doorstep in all parts of the County,” said the Governor.

He noted that Kakamega County has a population of over two million people which has increased demand for clean and safe water saying that the Government is committed to ensuring the commodity was available to residents.

He said 80% of urban dwellers and 35% of rural folk are connected to clean and safe water noting that his desire is to have all parts of the County connected to clean water by 2030.

The Governor said his Government is tapping on cheap and new technology to cut down on the cost of water supply and availability of the commodity in the County.

“We are using modern technology including having solar powered boreholes to cut down on the costs of supplying water,” he said.

He revealed that his Administration has constructed a containerized water treatment plant in Chekalini, Lugari Sub County which serves over 22,000 propel in the Sub County and its environs.

“To cope with the effects of climate change, the County is rehabilitating dams, exploring ground water and also using appropriate modern technologies,” he said.

KACWASCO acting CEO Madam Christabel Ashiono said her company is committed to supplying water to its consumers and increasing connectivity.

She said the five million liter capacity water storage tank at Lirhanda in Shinyalu Sub County will help address the challenge of water shortage and rationing in Kakamega town.

“In areas we cannot supply water by gravity like in Butere, Malava and Lumakanda, we have opted to using boreholes which are well linked to the main water line to supply water to people,” she added.

“We recognize the need to sustain humanity through provision of clean, safe and affordable water as an essential commodity as we strive to achieve our vision of being an effective and efficient water and sanitation service provider,” said Madam Ashiono.

She requested the community to adopt a tree and take personal initiative to nurture the tree as one way of conserving the source of water.

“I thank our partners, stakeholders, consumers and all players in the water sector for their support towards the celebration and growth of the Company.

Chief Officer for Water Eng Philip Otenyo, Shirere MCA Hon David Ikunza, representatives from various organizations, senior County and Company staff were present.

KACWASCO CEO COMMITS TO CLEAR DEBTS OWED TO SUPPLIERS

KACWASCO CEO COMMITS TO CLEAR DEBTS OWED TO SUPPLIERS

Kakamega County Water and Sanitation Company (KACWASCO) CEO Madam Christabel Ashiono has assured suppliers that the Company is committed to paying their dues in the shortest time possible.

She urged the suppliers to continue working with the Company as she strives to clear their debts.

“As a Company we apologize for delaying to pay debts owed to our suppliers because of some challenges which the Company experienced including Covid-19 pandemic. However, we are committed to settling the debts,” said Madam Ashiono during a consultative meeting with the suppliers.

She presented the Company’s debt payment plan which was agreed upon by the suppliers. In the plan small debts will cleared in the next two months after which the Company will start clearing huge debts.

The CEO assured the suppliers that the Company has put in place strategies to raise funds to clear all debts owed to them appreciating them for their patience and trust in the Company.

“We are committed to clearing all debts. We have strategies in place to raise money to enable us achieve this target,” she said.

She recognized the suppliers as key stakeholders for the growth of the Company as they play an integral part in the operations and maintenance services of the Company.

She told the suppliers that the Company is ready and willing to continue working with them promising a bright future.

“We value you as our key stakeholders and I urge you to continue working with us so that we achieve our desire of every resident of Kakamega County getting clean and safe water,” the CEO said.

The suppliers appreciated the CEO for the meeting promising to continue supplying their goods and services to the Company to enhance its operations and service delivery.

They also thanked her for recognizing their role in the growth of the Company.

KACWASCO CEO HOLDS CONSULTATIVE MEETING WITH KAKAMEGA JOURNALISTS

KACWASCO CEO HOLDS CONSULTATIVE MEETING WITH KAKAMEGA JOURNALISTS

Kakamega County Urban Water and Sanitation Company (KACUWASCO) acting CEO Madam Christabel Ashiono today held a consultative meeting with journalists from Kakamega.

In the meeting held at the Company’s boardroom, the CEO expressed her willingness to work closely with media to convey accurate, factual and verifiable information to the public.

“We are grateful for the support we get from media and we promise to continue working together to ensure the growth of our company,” said Madam Ashiono.

She used the opportunity to share with the journalists her vision for the company and efforts put in place to improve services and enhance service delivery.

She said despite few challenges facing the Company, she is committed to addressing the challenges to ensure the Company achieves its mandate of supplying clean pipe water to its customers.

“As a Company we are embracing open door policy. We are ready to get information from all stakeholders and act on it to improve our services. I encourage you to be free to get information and give us feedback that will enable us stabilize the Company and also improve our services,” she said.

The journalists appreciated the CEO for organizing the meeting and recognizing the role of media in conveying information to the public.

They promised to support the Company by publishing verified and factual information with a view of reaching to stakeholders and growth of the Company.

KACWASCO MANAGEMENT SIGN PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS TO ENHANCE SERVICE DELIVERY

KACWASCO MANAGEMENT SIGN PERFORMANCE CONTRACTS TO ENHANCE SERVICE DELIVERY

Kakamega County Water and Sanitation Company (KACWASCO) management led by Acting CEO Madam Christabel Ashiono today signed performance contracts to enhance service delivery at the water company.

The exercise which was presided over by the Company’s Board of Management chairman Prof Laban Ayiro sets targets for each staff as part of the efforts to streamline services at the company.

Prof Ayiro urged the staff to ensure they meet the targets they have set for themselves as part of efforts to improve services.

“I appreciate the Management for implementing the performance contracting process. This is a commitment by staff to ensure efficiency and effective service delivery to customers,” said Prof Ayiro.

He asked the officers to live to their commitments to ensure enhanced revenue collection and provision of quality services to the customers.

“Performance Contract is like a covenant. This time we have to do things differently to achieve our targets and also offer quality services. We will be doing monitoring and give feedback to ensure we achieve our targets,” he said.

Madam Ashiono said the Company has established a Monitoring and Evaluation Committee to spearhead the process urging the committee to work closely with other staff for the overall goal of enhancing service delivery.

“Let us take performance contracting with the seriousness it deserves because we will appraise each staff and performance of each staff will be pegged on the targets set,” said Madam Ashiono.

Earlier, Prof Ayiro during a meeting with all Company staff unveiled Madam Ashiono as the acting CEO urging the staff to give her the much needed support for the growth of the Company.

“Let us give our CEO support to stabilize the Company and for its growth,” he said.

He urged the staff to focus on service delivery instead of peddling lies and propaganda that can affect operations and growth of the Company.

On her part, the CEO promised to advance teamwork and open door policy to enable staff have a conducive working environment.

“My vision is to have a united and focused workforce. I will endeavor to forge a working relationship with every staff so that each staff feels part of the Company,” she said.

Later the Chairman, CEO and some of the managers visited and inspected ongoing maintenance works at Tindinyo treatment plant and mainline, and construction of Lirhanda water tank.