By Robert Mutasi 
Eldoret is set to receive an additional 21,000 cubic metres of water daily once the Kipkaren Water Supply Project in Kapseret Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, is completed, Principal Secretary for Water and Sanitation Julius Korir has said.
Korir said the additional supply would help narrow Eldoret’s widening water deficit, with the city currently receiving about 40,000 cubic metres of water per day against an estimated demand of 70,000 cubic metres.
Speaking during an inspection of the Kipkaren Water Supply Project, the PS said the project, being implemented under the North Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency, would produce a total of 24,000 cubic metres of treated water daily.
Of this, 3,000 cubic metres will be supplied to Mosoriot in neighbouring Nandi County, while the remaining 21,000 cubic metres will be channelled to Eldoret.
“The project in total will deliver 24,000 cubic metres per day, of which 3,000 will be given to Mosoriot to serve the people of Mosoriot in Nandi, and then the balance of 21,000 cubic metres will be serving Eldoret,” Korir said.
The additional water is expected to improve supply to residents and institutions in Kapseret, Eldoret International Airport, Racecourse, Upper Elgon View and Langas in Uasin Gishu, as well as Mlango, Lelmokwo and Mosoriot in Nandi County.
The project includes completion of a conventional water treatment plant with a capacity of 24,375 cubic metres per day, construction of a rising main and development of water storage facilities. It is currently 80 per cent complete.
Korir said construction resumed in February after the project had stalled for more than four years at 48 per cent completion. He added that implementation had since progressed according to schedule, with completion targeted for December 31.
“Over the last six months when we resumed work in February, we have taken the physical progress to 80 per cent. We are on schedule to have the project completely finished by December 31,” he said.
The pipeline linking the Kipkaren Water Treatment Plant near Eldoret International Airport to the project site has been completed, while construction of the rising main towards Mosoriot and the storage facilities is nearing completion.
At Oletebes, the main storage tank has a capacity of 100,000 cubic metres, while an adjacent 500-cubic-metre tank will provide the pressure needed to distribute water to households.
Korir said concreting of the main tank was expected to be completed by October 20, followed by a curing period of about 20 days. Water-holding tests are expected to be conducted in November.
The PS said the Ministry of Water and Sanitation was also exploring the expansion of the Chebara water supply system, including the construction of a second pipeline, to address rising demand driven by population growth and migration into Eldoret.
“At the moment, we are supplying Eldoret with around 40,000 cubic metres per day from Chebara and other sources against a demand of about 70,000,” Korir said.
The planned expansion is expected to complement the Kipkaren project as demand for water continues to rise in the city and surrounding areas.
During the inspection tour, Korir also assessed additional works under the Eldoret Sewerage Last Mile Connectivity Project, which is currently 50 per cent complete.
The sewerage works are expected to benefit up to 10,000 people and are scheduled for completion by December.
The projects form part of government efforts to expand access to water and sanitation services and improve living conditions for communities in Uasin Gishu and neighbouring Nandi County.