The Japanese government has supplied water to Seka Mixed Secondary and primary schools and more than 15 households in Wang’chieng', Karachuonyo constituency.

Japanese government-financed project cost Sh11.7 million.

The project was undertaken after residents, under the Integrated Development Facility, wrote a proposal to the government of Japan to support the institution in coming up with water project for the school and residents. 

The project was done at the secondary school.

The school students used to fetch water directly from Lake Victoria, which compromised their security and health.

They were exposed to risks of attacks by hippos which freely roam around the lake shores.

On Tuesday, Japanese Ambassador to Kenya Ken Okaniwa, Governor Gladys Wanga and her Busia counterpart Paul Otuoma visited the school and assessed the utilisation of the project.

Water is pumped from the lake to machines which include sedimentation tanks and purifiers. It is then supplied to the school and used by students at the boarding section.

There is constructing points where community members will tap the water. The water is supplied through pipes from the institutions.

The project at Seka uses a simple purification process using tanks that are installed on the ground.

Okaniwa said they agreed to come up with the project for learners and residents to have clean and safe water.

“The friendship between Kenya and Japan has enabled us to undertake the project with ease. We’re hopeful the project will enhance the implementation of universal health care,” he said

Members of the public will soon start paying money to get water for maintenance of machines and to settle other monthly bills.

Wanga said the project has enabled residents to access clean and safe water with ease.

Karachuonyo is among the constituencies in Homa Bay water shortage is a problem.

Despite having the longest shoreline of Lake Victoria, Homa Bay people have been having problems in accessing clean water for domestic use.

“Many people can see water but cannot have it for their use at homes. This is because we are yet to tap it,” the Homa Bay governor said.

She proposed the use of solar power to pump water as opposed to use of electricity on grounds that the latter is costly.

Already, the project has unpaid bills to Kenya Power but the governor paid Sh70, 000 to settle the bill.

“We appeal to the Japanese government to introduce Solar Power to the project in the next financial year so us to avoid much cost,” Wanga said.

Otuoma said Nyanza and Western counties have a high disease burden associated with use of unclean water.

This, he said, has made the cost of supplying water to residents to remain high despite being surrounded by Lake Victoria, adding that it costs more to pump water on plain ground.

“Let’s make water accessible to our people to enable us fight diseases associated with poor sanitation. We appeal for the Japanese government to extend its helping hand to other counties,”  the governor said.