Kajiado: Kajiado governor Joseph Ole Lenku has lauded World Serve International for its transformative Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) interventions in the county, saying they have improved health, livelihoods and resilience among local communities. Lenku made the remarks when he hosted World Serve International's Kenya Country Director, David Kang'ethe, and his team during a courtesy call at his office.
According to Kenya News Agency, World Serve International, which operates in 28 counties across the country, has drilled and equipped 37 boreholes in Kajiado over the past four years. The governor stated that the projects have significantly boosted access to clean and reliable water, which has been a long-standing challenge in the semi-arid county. 'These water points have improved the quality of life for our people, restored dignity, and strengthened resilience in the face of drought. We are deeply grateful for this partnership,' he said.
Beyond water access, World Serve has also supported menstrual hygiene management in schools through the distribution of Sifa sanitary pads and undergarments, an initiative powered by Project GRL, where so far 7,551 girls in 74 schools across Kajiado have benefitted. The programme not only supports dignity, but also reduces absenteeism and empowers adolescent girls to remain in school and pursue their dreams.
Furthermore, the organization introduced sustainable agriculture initiatives by training communities on drip irrigation using kits from Netafim in Israel. The project, implemented at the drilled water sites, is helping households and schools improve food security and increase agricultural productivity.
Lenku appealed to World Serve to extend its support towards integrating innovative technologies for the sustainable management and monitoring of boreholes. He said the county is keen on adopting data-driven systems, remote monitoring tools and smart water management platforms to ensure long-term functionality and reduce downtime of water points. 'We look forward to deepening our collaboration with World Serve International, guided by innovation and shared purpose, for the continued betterment of our communities,' the governor added.
On his part, Kang'ethe reiterated World Serve's commitment to expanding access to clean water and supporting initiatives that enhance the dignity and well-being of vulnerable communities. 'As World Serve, we believe in partnerships that deliver lasting impact. Together with the county government of Kajiado and our faith-based partners, we will continue to invest in projects that change lives,' he said.