BUSIA OSBP SANITATION BLOCK COMMISSIONED
Busia One Stop Border Post (OSBP) Sanitation Block which was implemented by Kenya Water and Sanitation Civil Society Network (KEWASNET) and funded by WATERAID East Africa was commissioned today ready for use by cross border traders and long distance
truck drivers.
Engineer Susan Masila from KEWASNET said the Ksh.7 million sanitation block will also house a shop and a store. The partners also delivered supplies for the next three months including tissue papers and soap.
Chief Officer Water, Hellen Mukanda who commissioned the sanitation block on behalf of Acting Water Executive, Dr Moses Osia thanked Kewasnet, WaterAid, KRA and Busia OSBP for the project which she said is worthwhile and will go along way in addressing sanitation challenges and revenue generation.
” We lack a water masterplan and there is need to review our Strategic Plan for the department. We are appealing to Kewasnet and WaterAid to partner with us in achieving this dream,” she said.
Regional Manager WaterAid East African Region, Boniface Kiome said their focus is on sustainable water hygiene and sanitation services which will reduce common diseases.
WaterAid has described Busia border as a vital trading route that processes approximately 14,000 people, (travellers, workers and traders) and 7,000 trucks weekly, noting that the heavy traffic of goods, services and people are key determinants that informed its selection of this border point.
In a speech read by WaterAid’s Boniface Kiome on behalf of Regional Director, East Africa, Olutayo Bankole -Bulawole said Within the next decade globally, as WaterAid, they aim to see 400 million more people with sustainable and safe water and
USD 15 billion more per year mobilised for WASH in low and middle-income countries.
“Whereas phase one focused on the construction of permanent handwashing facilities at the Busia border, during the second phase, we expanded the project to take a keen consideration of gender-inclusive and disability-friendly sanitation blocks with a total of eight bathrooms, 16 toilets, and changing space for caregivers to babies” he said.
Head of Programs at KEWASNET, Vincent Ouma said the Sanitation Block will be co-managed by KRA and the County Government of Busia through the Department of Water, Irrigation, Environment and Natural Resources.
KRA will run on an interim basis before engaging a capable operator.
Director Water and Sewerage, James Imwene urged the two partners to replicate the Sanitation Block to other urban centres including Malaba, Sio Port and Port Victoria to enable residents benefit from this vital facility.
Busia Water and Sewerage Services Company (BUWASSCO) Limited Technical Manager, Collins Oduori said the Water Service Provider is committed to ensure the facility operates without any technicalities, urging the Border Management Committee to utilize water harvested from roof to cushion against any water scarcity.
KRA Deputy Station Manager Busia OSBP in charge of Customs, Philip Koech said the Sanitation Block in addition to other Washing facilities will help in the fight against Covid-19 and other water bone diseases.
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