Kisumu: Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company (Kiwasco) has announced a new phase of investments aimed at pushing the city toward universal sanitation coverage. KIWASCO Managing Director Thomas Odongo cited major improvements in hygiene, waste management, and community behaviour change across low-income settlements, which have given impetus to the sanitation drive.
According to Kenya News Agency, the latest sanitation mapping under the Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CYS) plan showed that access to improved sanitation in Kisumu has risen to 59 per cent, up from 33 per cent in the last assessment. Odongo described this progress as significant and transformative during World Toilet Day celebrations at Obunga slums in Kisumu Central Sub-County. He noted that open defecation, once widespread in the settlement, has almost completely disappeared, contributing to a reduction in pollution flowing into Lake Victoria.
Odongo explained that the lake previously produced a bad stench due to waste entering from low-income areas. The improved sanitation behaviour has resulted in cleaner lake water, reducing the need for chemical treatments. Kiwasco is now investing in technology to scale up sanitation in Kisumu City and its jurisdiction. Despite sewer coverage remaining below 20 per cent, Odongo emphasized the importance of on-site solutions while working to expand the sewer network.
He revealed plans for a faecal sludge treatment plant funded by the African Development Bank's feasibility studies, aiming for a structured system supporting both sewered and non-sewered settlements. Kiwasco has completed the market sounding phase for further investment under the CYS plan, which runs to 2050 and targets 100 per cent sanitation access. Odongo mentioned that Obunga will continue receiving priority interventions under the citywide plan, acknowledging the clear progress while emphasizing the need to push further.
Odongo credited strong partnerships for sustaining behaviour change, highlighting the role of Community Health Practitioners (CHPs) in transforming hygiene practices. During the event, Kiwasco handed over an eco-toilet to an elderly Obunga resident, symbolizing the inclusive approach they are taking.
Felgona Atieno, a long-time sanitation advocate, praised KIWASCO and partners for their efforts, noting the significant improvements in the settlement. She urged Kiwasco to extend sewer infrastructure into the area, emphasizing the need for a sewer line to dignify the growing community. At the event, Sanwa Ezeko Technologies showcased a locally prefabricated eco-toilet model, designed for dense settlements where space and cost constraints make traditional toilets difficult. The technology embraces a circular economy approach, promising to improve the livelihoods of locals.