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KACWASCO BOARD UNDERGOES EVALUATION AND VALIDATES STRATEGIC PLAN (2021-2026)
Corporate Governance requires that the Board undertakes evaluation on an annual basis.
Understanding Board’s mandate ,joint and several duties of the board members is an effective indicator to effective Corporate governance practices.The KACWASCO BOD has strived to achieve this through the recent and timely Board Evaluation that took place on 26th July 2021.The directors were taken through the evaluation process by officers from SCAC(State Corporations advisory Committee) FCS Simon Indimuli ,OGW,and Madam Cecilia Mbothu.
The process was a timely pointer to the board on areas of improvement and strategic planning even as they validated the Company’s 5 year strategic plan 2021-2026.
The Board was agreed to come up with a Performance Improvement Plan as advised so as to be able to work on the areas that require improvement as depicted in the evaluation report .
KACWASCO has in the recent past taken initiative towards improvement of general performance of the company as well as ensure compliance to sector regulatory standards.The 5 year strategic plan will be a tool towards ensuring improved/enhanced performance by the company targeting the key themes :-
1.None Revenue Water Management
2.Operational efficiency ,customer service and pro poor
3.financial stewardship and sustainability
4.institutional strengthening and capacity building
5.Water and Sanitation Infrastructure
6.Monitoring and evaluation
The Board under the Leadership of the Board Chairman Prof .Laban Peter Ayiro ,while validating the strategic plan,agreed to work with management in ensuring achievement of the strategic objectives and goals as per the stipulated timelines .
The Board appreciated the invaluable support by the County Government in strengthening KACWASCO’s institutional capacity .
Present during the two days Board retreat were the Board of Directors,the Chief Executive Officer Eng.Abdikadir M Abdi,Board Secretary Ms.Christabell Ashiono and the Core Management officers .
KACWASCO Congratulates Prof. Laban P. Ayiro, the Vice Chancellor, Daystar University on his Inaugural Lecture today the 23rd of July 2021.
As the Chairman of Board of Directors, KACWASCO, we are proud of you and indeed the people of Kakamega County, and the Kenyan Nation as a whole for your contribution in our country! God bless you, Professor Ayiro.
KACWASCO GETS LICENSED BY WASREB
Kakamega County Water and Sanitation Company (KACWASCO) has officially received a licence from the regulator -Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB).
Speaking during the handover ceremony held at WASREB HQ OFFICES today 19th of July 2021, the WASREB CEO, Eng. Peter Njaga commended the Company for the milestone towards complying to regulatory provisions and advised management to take advantage of the opportunity.
He further urged the management to ensure compliance to the WASREB guidelines as provided for under the Licence conditions, and emphasized that the essence of the License is to prioritize water service provision to the residents.
KACWASCO CEO, Eng. Abdikadir M Abdi, while expressing gratitude to the regulator committed to work hard as per the license provisions so as to steer the company to the next level .
The team, which had earlier had a briefing session on the review of the company tariff, was led by the County CEC member for Water, Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change Hon.Kulati Wangia, the Company management led by the CEO Eng. Abdikadir M Abdi; Technical Manager, Celsus Shilehwa – PEngTech; Commercial and Finance Manager, CPA Edwin Bukweye; and The Principal Legal Officer and Board Secretary, Advocate Christabell Ashiono.#
KACWASCO VALIDATES ITS FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN
The management of Kakamega County Water and Sanitation Company (KACWASCO) has validated its five-year strategic plan aimed at improving services and efficiency.
Speaking during the opening of the meeting to validate the Strategic Plan, the Company Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr Abdikadir Mohammed Abdi said the document also targets to realign the company’s services and operations to the current situation.
“The company’s last Strategic Plan was developed in 2017 and since then a lot has changed in terms of operations and needs of our customers,” said Mr Abdi.
He said the company is in the process of implementing smart metering and ERP system to integrate all services to enhance technology and improve on efficiency.
“We are embracing new technology to make our work effective and also offer quality services to our customers,” he said.
He advised the company staff to familiarize themselves with the Strategic Plan saying that the document will guide them in their day to day activities as the company strives to improve in 5 years.
Madam Christabel Ashiono, the Company’s legal officer noted that in the past few years, the company has recorded tremendous growth in terms of revenue collection and improved on services offered.
She said as part of strengthening the company which is tasked to supply water in urban areas, there was change in management which strengthened the governance of the Company and led to improved overall performance of the company .
“We have achieved a lot as a company. We have received our license to operate as a legal entity. We are in the process of reviewing our tariff. Revenue collection has also been improved “she said.
CHEKALINI WATER TREATMENT PLANT PHASE II IMPLEMENTATION ON COURSE
In actualising Governor Oparanya’s vision of supplying clean and safe piped water to residents of Kakamega County, Chief Officer for Water Eng. Joseck Malob, on a Wednesday 9th June 2021 toured Musembe Dam Water treatment plant in Chekalini ward, Lugari Sub-County, where he received accessories from the contractor for operationalization of the dam.
Speaking at the site, Eng. Maloba said the Government is working round the clock to ensure the residents have access to clean water in line with the Governor H.E Hon. Dr. FCPA Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya’s manifesto. Once operational, he revealed, the plant has a capacity of serving more than 12,128 households.
“This project has a design orison of over 20 years and by then, it will be serving over 20,879 households,” he said.
Eng. Maloba said the treatment plant is capable of producing 100M² of water per hour. Phase one cost Shs 38 million while Phase two will cost Shs 52 million, upon completion. The third and last phase will constitute solar installation and last mile connectivity.
The equipment received today include floating Pontoon, 40 feet container with filtration units, chlorine chemical dosers with chemical dosing tanks, filter media, booster pump and raw submersible water pump.
Area MCA Hon. Kenneth Indusa, who was also present during the exercise, thanked the County Government for setting up the project saying it will not only serve Chekalini residents but the greater Lugari Sub-County as well.
Other water projects being implemented by the Government are Khuvasali water project in Malava Sub-County, Mutwehe water project in Ikolomani Sub-County, Nandamanywa water project in Shinyalu Sub-County and Lwakhupa water project in Navakholo Sub-County among others.
Kakamega County Urban Water and Sanitation Company (KACUWASCO) Chief Executive Officer Eng. Abdi Abdikadir and Chief Officer, Eng. Joseck Maloba, were in attendance, alongside Technical Manager KACUWASCO Mr. Celcius Shilewa as well as Chief Superintendent of Water Mr. Fred Atwa. Inspection of the containerized water treatment plant was conclude by the management team on 14th June 2021.
Board Audit and Risk Assurance Committee undergoes Induction training
Good governance is a key agenda of the Board. In order to enhance this, today the Board Audit and Risk Assurance Committee underwent an intensive induction training.
This is following the appointment of two new Committee Members. Mrs. Mary Kundu coming in as Chairperson and Mrs. Nelly Mukoko representing Lake Victoria North Water Works Agency.
The Board has been trained on finance for none Finance, Audit Committee guidelines, Effectiveness of Audit and Audit Committee, Ethical leadership among others which are key governance areas necessary for the performance of the Committee roles.
The Board Audit and Risk Assurance Committee is a key organ of the Board and of the Company charged with Governance, Risk Management and Internal Controls.
In attendance were Prof Laban Ayiro, Chairman of the Board, Mrs. Mary Kundu, Chairperson Audit and Risk Assurance Committee, Mrs. Jane Mitei and Mrs. Nelly Mukoko, Committee Members, CPA Powel Mmbone, Internal Audit Manager, Ms. Christabell Ashiono, the Principal Legal Officer and Board Secretary
KACWASCO signs a Contract for ERP Implementation
Kakamega County Water and Sanitation Company (KACWASCO) has signed a contract with an ERP solutions provider, Smart People Africa Ltd, to execute implementation of an ERP system for the Water Service Provider, after it successfully went through an open tender process.
The contract was signed by the KACWASCO CEO Eng. Abdikadir M. Abdi, and SPA Managing Director Mr. Stephen Ndirangu at KACWASCO Boardroom on 29th April 2021 and was witnessed by Managers from both companies, among them KACWASCO Principal Legal Officer Ms Christabel Ashino, the Commercial and Finance Manager Mr. Edwin Bukweye, the Technical Manager Mr. Celsus Shilehwa, the Procurement Manager Ms Carolyne Adagala, the Human Resources and Administration Manager, among others.
The ERP will see KACWASCO transform into a fully fledge IT-driven company with all core operations being automated and available online globally. The ERP will integrated operations in core services bring a convergence and 360-degrees view of Technical services covering Production, Distribution, Water Quality Control, Non-Revenue Management, GIS, Meter reading and Billing; Commercial and Financial Services; Customer Services & Relations Management; Human Resources Managements, Staff self-service portal and Performance Management; Procurement, Logistics, Transport and Projects Management services; among other services.
The successful implementation of the identified ERP provided by Smart People Africa, which is already in use in a number of Water Companies in Kenya, is expected to turn-around the company in the next couple of months, as already experienced in those WSPs.
The ERP will enhance efficiency of both internal and external processes and operations, and increase fast access to accurate data, which will increase accountability and reliability of information at all time. The implementation process will see all internal stakeholders in the company involved in its success come together various trainings and in redesigning various procedures to streamline key processes to be in line with a new Data / IT-driven organizational culture.