Archives April 2022

KAKAMEGA TEAM SAILS THROUGH TO SEMI FINALS IN WASCO GAMES

KACWASCO football team has qualified for semi finals of the ongoing Water Companies Sports Organisation (WASCO) championship in Kisumu City County.

Kakamega won their second match without kicking a ball today after their opponents Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company failed to show up for the championship that has brought together all Water Companies drawn from all over the country.

The result saw Kakamega top Group B and book a ticket for the semi finals.

During their opening match on Monday, they humiliated ELDOWAS (Eldoret) 4-0 thereby showing their intention of winning the title.

“We have a direct ticket to the semis because Mombasa have not turned out for the tournament. We are now top in Group B,” said Benard Wandere, the Team Manager.

He noted that they will face off with Group D leader in the semis slated for tomorrow (Wednesday).

Group D has Embu, Ruiru, Kisumu and Taita Taveta water supply companies.

“We will be at the finals. We are committed towards lifting the trophy this year,” he said.

KACWASCO COMMITS TO REDUCING REVENUE LOSS THROUGH NON REVENUE WATER ACTIVITIES

KACWASCO COMMITS TO REDUCING REVENUE LOSS THROUGH NON REVENUE WATER ACTIVITIES

Kakamega County Water and Sanitation Company (KACWASCO) Acting CEO Christabel Ashiono has said the Company is committed to reducing revenue loss through non revenue water.

She said non revenue water activities like illegal connections, pipe bursts, water theft and spillage continue to pose a challenge to Water Service Providers (WSP) across the country.

She was speaking during the official opening ceremony of Water Companies Sports Organisation (WASCO) games at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu County.

The ceremony was graced by Defence Cabinet Secretary Hon Eugene Wamalwa as the Chief Guest.

The CEO urged all stakeholders in the water sector to collaborate in a bid to reduce water and revenue loss as per this year’s theme; reducing non revenue water through community engagement and sports.

“I call upon all stakeholders especially partners to support Water Service Providers in the area of non revenue water to reduce it to below 20%. This will help the water companies reduce water loss and improve on supply of the commodity to users and revenue collection,” said Ms Ashiono.

She appreciated the Governor H.E Dr Wycliffe Oparanya for supporting KACWASCO to meets its mandate of supplying water to its consumers.

“I am grateful to our Governor for the immense support that has seen the Company deliver on its mandate without hitches,” she said.

She asked Water companies to embrace benchmarking as a way of interacting and sharing ideas on enhancing service delivery.

“I want to thank the CS Wamalwa for his passion , commitment and dedication towards supporting WASCO games and water service providers and championing water matters in the country,” the CEO said.

She added; “At the end of this tournament everybody will emerge a champion.”

CS Wamalwa urged Water Service Providers to develop measures and also engage the community on ways of reducing non revenue water.

“It is regrettable that we cannot account for 47% of water we harvest which is lost through non revenue water activities yet our country has scarcity of water. We should learn from Nyeri County on the policies and measures they have put in place resulting to reduced non revenue water to 16%,” said Wamalwa who was accompanied by CAS for Water and Sanitation Mr Andrew Tuimur.

CEO FLAGS OFF TEAM FOR WASCO GAMES

CEO FLAGS OFF TEAM FOR WASCO GAMES

KACWASCO Acting CEO Madam Christabel Ashiono this afternoon flagged off the team which will represent the Company during WASCO games in Kisumu starting tomorrow. The Company will only take part in football.

“Time to show the results for your proper preparations is now here. Go for the trophy and nothing else,” said Madam Ashiono.

She asked the players and other staff who will attend the games to maintain high discipline and fly the flag of the Company high. “Make KACWASCO proud by winning the title. You can only do that if you are disciplined, focused and work hard,” she said.

The CEO said she will personally grace some of the games to give moral support to the team.

“I will be there personally to cheer you up. Don’t let me down. Win the title to make the Company proud,” she noted.

The team will play its opening match tomorrow at Kisumu Polytechnic. They last won the trophy in 2018 during WASCO games in Mombasa.

Human Resource Manager Madam Linet Wasaba and Sports Committee Chairman Mr Benard Wandere were present.

H.E GOVERNOR OPARANYA LAUNCHES KSH 17.2M WASTE WATER TREATMENT FACILITY IN MUMIAS

H.E GOVERNOR OPARANYA LAUNCHES KSH 17.2M WASTE WATER TREATMENT FACILITY IN MUMIAS

Governor Dr FCPA Wycliffe Oparanya has launched the Ksh 17.2 million Decentralized Waste Water Treatment Facility in Mumias town.

He said the facility will help in handling waste water which has been a challenge to the town.

“I thank Water Sector Trust Fund for funding this project that will address the challenge of waste water in Mumias,” said Dr Oparanya.

He said the facility will serve at least 2,300 households in Mumias.

He noted that it is expensive to construct a sewerage system and the waste water treatment facility will offer an alternative.

“It will cost us at least Ksh 2 billion to construct the sewerage system in Mumias. However, with such facilities we have an alternative. We need three more in Mumias to solve the issue of waste water management,” he said.

He noted that under the project WSTF also constructed 200 toilets in low income areas within Mumias town.

Mr Willis Ombayi, CEO Water Sector Trust Fund said his organization is committed to working with the devolved units to enhance water supply services and improving on sanitation.

He said apart from the Ksh 17.2 million facility, they have also given the County Ksh 65.2 million to cushion it from the effects of Covid-19.

“Recently we signed a partnership with KACWASCO to fund Malava water project at a cost of Ksh 19.8 million. We are grateful for the support and cooperation we get from the County,” said Mr Ombayi.

CECM for Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Madam Rhodah Masaviru said the facility is the first of its kind in the County.

“I thank the development partners for financing this projects that will offer solutions to many challenges posed by waste water,” said Madam Masaviru.

Ms Mary Kundu, Director at KACWASCO said the facility will solve issues of pollution of rivers which poses health risks.

“Institutions within this area should take advantage of this facility to dispose their waste water so that we have a clean and healthy environment,” said Ms Kundu.

County Assembly Environment Committee chairman Hon Swaka Limera asked development partners to consider rolling out similar projects in other urban Centers within the County.

Butere MP Tindi Mwale, County Secretary and Head of Public Service Ambassador CPA James Ochami, CECM for Roads Mr Kulati Wangia, Chief Officers, CEOs led by Madam Christabel Ashiono (KACWASCO), MCAs, board members of KACWASCO and KACRUWASCO among other officials were present.

Enforcement team unmasks major water theft in Amalemba, Kakamega

KACWASCO Enforcement Team today unmasked major water theft at Amalemba Estate in Kakamega town.

The theft which has been denying consumers enough water was unearthed by the team during its routine inspection after a tip-off from members of the public.

Enforcement Officer Silas Egesa who confirmed the incident said the suspect is on the run and they are still pursuing him to ensure he faces the law.

“He diverted water from the main distribution line to his brick baking site. This has caused lack of water to our consumers and also led to loss of revenue to the Company,” said Egesa.

Mr Egesa who was accompanied by Distribution Supervisor Carl Rudolf and the enforcement team said the illegal connection affected hundreds of consumers who rely on the Company for water.

Mr Rudolf said: “There has been public outcry due to lack of water for our consumers in this area. Today we have managed to unmask this site which has illegally connected water. The owner is on the run but we will ensure we get hold of him and hand him to the relevant authorities for prosecution.”

He appealed to the public to report cases of water theft and illegal connections to enable the Company have steady supply of water to its consumers.

He noted that illegal connections have become rampant and the team has vowed to take the necessary actions to those found culpable.