Lugari: Three learning institutions and residents of Manyonyi and Marakusi sub-locations in Lugari Constituency are set to benefit from a rehabilitated and expanded Manyonyi Community Water Project. The Sh10 million rehabilitation and expansion works to be undertaken by Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency will benefit Manyonyi Primary School, Manyonyi Girls Secondary School, Mahemas Primary School, and hundreds of households in the two sub-locations.
According to Kenya News Agency, Lugari legislator Nabii Nabwera spoke during the site handover to the contractor, stating that the multi-million water project will resolve the water challenges that have plagued the learning institutions and local community for decades. He expressed gratitude to Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency for undertaking the rehabilitation works and urged the local community to fully support the project.
The agency's engineers suggest that a well-managed water source, subject to funding availability, can produce a substantial amount of water for a large catchment area. Nabwera requested residents who have encroached on the land hosting the water source to vacate to allow the project to commence. He emphasized the importance of replacing eucalyptus trees with indigenous and bamboo trees to conserve the water source.
In terms of sanitation around the water source, Nabwera urged residents without pit latrines to construct them urgently to prevent contamination. He disclosed a Sh50 million request in the forthcoming budget to expand the water project to cover more residents.
Engineer Pierra Karimi from Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency assured that the project will be fast-tracked for the benefit of the schools and residents. The project will begin with a 30,000-litre tank in the first phase. She urged the Member of Parliament to lobby for more national government funding to expand the project further.
The first step involves constructing an underground tank to conserve water from the spring, followed by installing a solar-hybrid pump system to minimize costs and avoid high electricity bills that have led to the failure of many water projects in the country.
Ms. Mary Manyasa, a sociologist with the agency, called for community and local administrator support for the contractor to ensure smooth project implementation. She mentioned that the local community would need to form a committee to manage and sustain the project once completed.
Janet Tsigera, Principal of Manyonyi Girls Secondary School, expressed gratitude for the project, highlighting the challenges faced without a reliable water source. Residents, led by Isaac Kawayi and Ruth Lumumba, welcomed the project, noting the prolonged struggle without a dependable water supply.