Bungoma Residents Vandalize Water Pipes Denying Teso North Residents the Vital Resource
Teso leaders have raised concerns over actions by Bumula residents in Bungoma County to vandalise water pipes, thus denying residents of Kocholia, Amagoro, and Malaba in Teso North Sub County the vital resource.
Addressing residents during the World Water Day celebrations at Amagoro Primary School on Friday, Deputy Speaker Ronald Ochalu and Busia County Assembly Water Committee chairman, Isaac Walwa urged the National Government to intervene and solve the anomaly with the urgency it deserves.
Hon Ochalu, who is also the Malaba Central Member of the County Assembly, added that Busia County needs to devise alternative means to end this constant disruption of water flow.
They blamed the scenario on failure by Busia and Bungoma County governments to hold public participation to sensitive residents of the two counties on the need for peaceful coexistence and to compensate those who were affected by displacement.
The Deputy Speaker noted that plan B for Busia County will save Teso North from severe water shortage that has persisted for several years with no solution in sight.
The MCA gave reference to Bombo water scheme in Malaba Uganda, which has ensured constant suppliers of water to the neighbouring country and some parts of Malaba Kenya.
Hon Ochalu blamed Busia Water Sewerage Company (Buwasco) over laxity in discharging its mandate,citing incidents of pipe bursts along Amagoro- KNUT offices road with delayed repairs of the same.
Hon Isaac Wamalwa said the interference of Malakisi-Malaba water project by residents of Bumula Constituency was food for thought, which needs urgent intervention.
Wamalwa thanked the County Government of Busia for allocating Ksh30million in the 2023/2024 budget to go towards the last mile connectivity, urging the governor Dr Paul Otuoma to increase the amount to Ksh100m in the 2024/2025 budget.
He blamed corruption at the water company (Buwasco), which he said had depleted water service delivery to residents across the county.
The County Government of Busia has held talks with the National Government to finance phase two of the last mile connectivity that is estimated at Ksh200million.
Chief Officer in the Department of Water, Environment, Irrigation, and Water Resources Engineer Andrew Meso said the near breakthrough followed a meeting between him and Governor Dr Paul Otuoma with President William Ruto at State House Nairobi.
” We submitted a proposal and presented to the president which we are optimistic will yield fruits in the very near future,” Eng Meso said.
As they wait for the funding from the national government, Eng Meso said they have factored Ksh30m through climate change in this financial year to go towards last mile connectivity, urging MCAs from six wards in Teso North to contribute to the kitty to ensure residents from the area receive water in their homes.
The CECM said the department has also allocated Ksh150m to revamp two water schemes of Sisenye and Port Victoria, adding that they have also improved governance of Buwasco by appointing, new Managing Director,Technical Manager and Commercial Manager.He added that Eng Meso said plans to draft water policy is at an advanced stage with support from Western Kenya Water.
Deputy County Commissioner Stephen Wambura said the
national government was making frantic efforts to ensure that the last mile connectivity project was a success.
Wambura warned against cutting of water pipes, terming it archaic. He noted that water was a vital resource, which needs the protection of citizens instead of resorting to infrastructure destruction.
The DCC disclosed that plans are at an advanced stage to construct a police post at Osere City in Malaba North Ward, urging the Deputy Speaker and area MP Oku Kaunya to chip in and make the project a success.
CECM Special Programs, Digital Programs, and ICT Douglas Okiring thanked the national government for spearheading the construction of the Malakisi- Malaba water project, urging it to spearhead the last mile connectivity.
He also urged county residents to practice the culture of harnessing rain water.
Stakeholders heard that when water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal, or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries.
More than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet, only 24 countries have cooperation agreements for all their shared water.
As climate change impacts increase and populations grow, there is an urgent need, within and between countries, to unite around protecting and conserving our most precious resource.
Public health and prosperity, food and energy systems, economic productivity, and environmental integrity all rely on a well-functioning and equitably managed water cycle.
When we cooperate on water, we create a positive ripple effect – fostering harmony, generating prosperity, and building resilience to shared challenges.
We must act upon the realization that water is not only a resource to be used and competed over – it is a human right, intrinsic to every aspect of life.
This World Water Day saw Kenyans unite around water and use water for peace, laying the foundations of a more stable and prosperous tomorrow.
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