BOMET, Kenya – In an effort to tackle the persistent water scarcity issues, Bomet County has announced a collaborative venture with the Arlington-based NGO, Africa Water Wells, to enhance access to clean water for its residents. This partnership aims to establish numerous water points across the county, thereby significantly improving the quality of life for the local population.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative was confirmed following discussions with top executives from Africa Water Wells at his office. Barchok emphasized the county administration’s dedication to working closely with all relevant stakeholders to launch projects designed to uplift the community’s living standards. He highlighted ongoing efforts to provide rural inhabitants with clean water through both government-sponsored and joint ventures with non-governmental organizations.
Africa Water Wells has reportedly drilled 10 wells across various regions of the country since the beginning of their program in 2012, in collaboration with local governments. Sandy Mulcahy, a director at Africa Water Wells, shared insights from his initial visit to Kenya in 2010, which exposed the severe challenges families face in accessing water. He noted that the establishment of these wells has substantially alleviated the water collection burden for many families.
The recent addition of a borehole at Ndanai Girls in Bomet Central Sub-county marks the 12th project undertaken by Africa Water Wells in the area, demonstrating the NGO’s commitment to expanding clean water access. Furthermore, Mulcahy disclosed a 2022 engagement with Shem Magnus, CEO of Tenwek Hospital, which led to the drilling of a borehole at one of their clinics in Kaboson. Despite the need for a Reverse Osmosis process to address high fluoride levels, the project has succeeded in providing an ample water supply to the community.
This partnership between Bomet County and Africa Water Wells underscores a significant step forward in addressing the critical need for clean and safe water in the region, promising to reduce the distances residents must travel for water and improve overall public health.