Nakuru residents benefit from pre-paid water project

More than 13,000 residents from low-income settlements in Nakuru have benefited from affordable pre-paid water through a project sponsored by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The water project valued at over Sh18 million has seen 10 low-income settlements get 95 such meters, which are already in use.

The meter dispenses water upon insertion of a pre-paid token and is accessible to the residents anytime of the day.

The project will also reduce the high cost incurred in buying water from vendors who sell a 20-litre jerry can of water at around Sh6.

Other partners in the project include Nakuru Water and Sanitation services Company (Nawasco) and Sustainable Water and sanitation for Africa (Suwasa).

American deputy ambassador to Kenya Mr Isiah Parnell said USAID will continue supporting the simple but sophisticated technology that allows people to take as much safe, clean water as they are able to pay for in advance.

PRO-POOR STRATEGY

“The project has helped Nawasco to develop a 5-year pro-poor strategy to install 1,250 prepaid meters in 43 low income neighbourhoods in Nakuru using commercially available financing,” said Mr Parnell.

Nawasco acting director Mr James Ng’ang’a said that before the initiation of the project, landlords were in-charge of the water supplied but residents could not access the water throughout the day.

“Through the project the residents are able to access the water at a low cost of Sh1.20 per 20 litres. This has also ensured that all money generated is collected by the company,” he said.

This will also help curb cases of illegal tapping which leads to losses.

Mr Ng’ang’a added that the project has been embraced by all homesteads in the low income informal settlements.

Some of the estates already benefiting from the project include Manyani, Lake View, Ronda and Kaptembwa.