The Netherlands government has allocated over Sh50 million to improve the governance of rural community water projects in Kenya and Ghana, aiming to enhance their effectiveness and sustainability. The funds, channeled through the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, will focus on capacity-building efforts, with Kenya’s Sirembe Community Water Project in Gem constituency set to benefit as a primary case study.
Dr. Irene Ngunjiri, head of the Water Governance and Innovation Hub at Strathmore University, announced during an inception meeting at Sirembe that Strathmore is leading the project in Kenya. She explained that the €400,000 initiative will identify and address operational challenges that frequently affect community water projects, developing a tailored curriculum to improve operations and maintenance practices.
“Using the Sirembe Community Water Project as a model, we’ll assess the challenges faced and then create a curriculum to help similar community projects operate more effectively,” Dr. Ngunjiri stated. This initiative will also include training local community members in best management practices to promote sustainability.
Dr. Akosua Boakye, representing IHE Delft Institute for Water Education in Africa, emphasized the institution’s commitment to enhancing rural communities’ access to clean water. She noted that many community water projects fail due to a lack of adequate management skills among those tasked with running them. “Our goal is to work alongside community members to identify challenges and develop solutions to improve management skills,” she explained.
Isaiah Adipo, Managing Director of the Siaya Bondo Water and Sanitation Company (SIBOWASCO), welcomed the Dutch-funded project, viewing it as an opportunity to expand water coverage in Siaya County, which currently stands at 58%. Adipo expressed optimism that the project will help the county reach its target of 65% water coverage by the end of Governor James Orengo’s first term.
Sirembe Community Water Project patron Eng. Sam Opot conveyed the gratitude of local residents for the support, noting that the partnership with international donors is a promising step forward for sustainable water access in the area.
