World Environment Day: Strengthening Local Partnerships to provide Clean Water for Schools in Salgaa

Salgaa Nakuru, 5 June 2024 -In a significant stride towards improving clean water access in Nakuru County, World Vision, and KenGen have inaugurated a masonry water tank valued at KES 700,000. The tank, with a capacity of 30,000 liters, was officially commissioned on World Environment Day, marked by the unveiling of the facility and the planting of 1,000 tree seedlings donated by KenGen.

The lack of clean water in six Salgaa schools has exposed children to water-borne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, diarrhea, and typhoid. Many of these students come from low-income households and often have to skip school to search for water. A 2020 needs assessment revealed that the Mimwaita community depends on the seasonal and contaminated Rongai River for water, located 3-5 kilometers away. Installing the new tank will significantly reduce this dependence, providing a stable supply of clean water and enhancing rainwater harvesting capabilities.

Eng. Clety Bore, A KenGen Managing Director & CEO representative, emphasized improved water access's profound impact on education and health in the Mimwatia school community. "This initiative is a testament to our commitment to improving the quality of life for the communities we serve through our community-cantered programs that promote environmental stability and education in various counties," he said.

Fredrick Kasiku, Programme Effectiveness and Impact Director at World Vision Kenya expressed gratitude to KenGen for their investment, stating, "Our assessment revealed a concerning trend in water accessibility and rainwater harvesting in Salgaa. This collaboration with KenGen and the Mimwaita community represents a significant step towards enhancing health and education outcomes. Through our Inuka Angaza Fund, a Kenyan-funded program in Salgaa, we aim to address critical issues such as water scarcity, education, health, and child protection."

Catherine Karime, Headteacher at Mimwatia Primary School, hailed the new tank as a transformative investment. "This will greatly improve our sanitation, reduce costs, and allow us to establish a kitchen garden to supplement school meals. Better rainwater harvesting will also support our efforts in combating climate change," she said.

The Kenya National Water and Sanitation Investment and Financing Plan (NAWASIP) indicates that Kenya's Water and Sanitation Sector faces a substantial funding gap of Ksh. 652 billion as it strives to reach Sustainable Development Goal number 6, which seeks to guarantee universal access to safe and sustainable water and sanitation management for all by the year 2030.

Since 1974, World Vision has led transformative initiatives in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) across Kenya, through strategic partnerships and a multi-sectoral approach. Similarly, KenGen's Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives focus on three core pillars: education, environmental sustainability, and empowering staff and partners to support the Presidential Directive of planting and growing 15.6 billion trees by 2032.

 As World Vision Kenya celebrates 50 Years in Kenya this year, and on behalf of the community of Salgaa, we are inviting Kenyans, individuals, and corporations to help raise resources and donate any amount using any of the following methods:

Dial *126*20#

Select World Vision to donate

Or go to the mySafaricom Mobile App > Select Bonga > Click Donate Bonga > Select World Vision > Proceed to donate. 

Paybill No: 468963

Account: Salgaa

 Register to Pledge Your Birthday: https://iaf.worldvision.or.ke/register-pledge