Water
Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko has said that access to clean water will help the county address water shortages and gender parity. Ochilo, who spoke during the launch of a water project in Kegonga-Kuria East Sub County, said that the lack of clean water in most parts of the county, especially in semi-arid areas like Nyatike, was a challenge.
He affirmed that his administration will collaborate with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Western Kenya Project to achieve clean water in the county.
The Western Kenya Water Project (WKWP), funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has been supporting decentralised county governments in western Kenya to deliver inclusive and sustainable services that strengthen water security and services.
Ochilo said that the lack of clean water was creating a gender disparity denying girls and women equal opportunities in education and economic activities. “Our girls lose a lot of education time seeking clean water for the family and while our mothers lose valuable time looking for the precious commodity while their male counterparts are engaging in income generating activities,” noted Ochilo.
Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko planting a tree during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kegonga water project in Kuria East Sub County. He said that the lack of clean water was creating gender disparity denying girls and women equal opportunities in education and economic activities. Photos by Geoffrey Makokha.
He said that the launch of the Kegonga water project will help solve some of the problems that the community is undergoing and make it a better place to live. Ochilo also added that clean water is a right for every citizen meant to economically empower them through ventures in agriculture and animal production apart from boosting and solving social amities within their locality.
Migori Deputy Governor Joseph Mahiri said that they will continue working with willing developmental partners in the water sector to ensure that the county is water scarcity-free for the social and economic development of the county. He called upon the county residents to work together and support the developmental agenda of the county administration to realise a conducive working environment in the county.
The USAID and the Western Kenya Water Project have also co-created the programme with Migori County to address challenges of workforce and policy formulation. The partnership has been able to train the Migori Water and Sewerage Company (MIWASCO) personnel on capacity building, governance issues and the preparation of the Migori Policy Water Act of 2022.