Kochogo South WASH Project Launched
Habitat for Humanity Kenya has launched a WASH project in Kochogo South location, Kisumu County. The project which is implemented by HFH Kenya in partnership with Kisumu County is funded by BMZ and is focusing on increasing the capacity of the low-income rural communities in effective water management for increased climate resilience with a focus on access to drinking water and agriculture.
The three-year project is in response to frequent floods in Kochogo south that endangers livelihoods, agricultural land and housing. The community is also affected by regular inaccessibility of safe drinking water due to water shortages during droughts. On the other hand, climate change is threatening the community members with a loss of livelihood opportunities thus threatening the adequacy of their current housing.
The launch event held on Friday 6th May, 2022 was attended by hundreds of community members, the area MCA Hon. Kennedy Ooko and Kisumu County officials.
The project will benefit more than 4,000 residents of Kochogo South Sub-location directly through drilling of a borehole which will ensure provision of clean and safe water. This water will be piped and extended to reach more community members within a radius of 15 Km.
To avert frequent floods within the region, the project will desilt the irrigation canals along the river Nyando for a distance of about 12 Km. The residents of Kochogo South attending the launch, welcomed the project and expressed their joy that the project will help them in achieving better health indicators. “We are happy to welcome this project that will improve the livelihoods of our people, thank you Habitat for Humanity Kenya” said the area chief Alfred Ondola during the launch.
Speaking during the launch, Gertrude Shisaya Chief Officer water and sanitation chief officer Kisumu County, urged the residents of Kochogo South to fully embrace the project. She also stated that the county is committed to ensuring that all residents get clean and safe water.
The event was also attended by Dorothy Owino sub- county health promotion officer, John Omollo county surveyor, Wycliffe Mayuni special programmes director, Bernard Naynguse water resources department head among other officials from the county government of Kisumu.
Other aspects of the project will include, provision of piped water and tanks in two primary schools, construction of gender segregated toilet blocks in two primary schools, piloting construction of 40 latrines in for 40 low-income households, hygiene promotion in schools, waste recycling and briquette making in the community, protection of buffer zone of the canals, participatory hygiene and sanitation transformation and advocacy work for water sanitation and hygiene.
