More than 25,000 households in Kisumu city and its outskirts are set to gain access to clean piped water through the Phase II expansion of the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Programme. The project, implemented by the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency (LVSWWDA), will extend the city’s water distribution network by 156 km and add another 25 km in Maseno Township.
To enhance storage, four tanks with a combined capacity of 1,450 cubic metres will be constructed at Obwolo (250 m³), Bukna (150 m³), Maseno Town (1,000 m³), and Maseno Market (150 m³). An existing borehole in Maseno will be rehabilitated, and a new one drilled to strengthen supply.
Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa said the Sh8.6 billion project is funded jointly by the Government of Kenya, the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the European Union. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony in Obwolo, Kisumu East, Mugaa noted that the city’s growing population has made this expansion critical.
The initiative is structured in three phases. Phase I integrated water and sanitation works, Phase II focuses on water expansion, and Phase III will upgrade Dunga intake works and rehabilitate Nyalenda treatment ponds, he explained.
Mugaa also highlighted challenges such as water losses of up to 38%, vandalism, and project delays. To address these, Kisumu county has been equipped with leak detection tools, vehicles, and a dedicated water police unit. Plans are also underway to establish bulk water service providers under the Water Act 2016 to enhance revenue collection.
French Development Agency Africa director Sandra Kessab praised the partnership, noting it reflects two decades of France’s commitment to improving water access in Kenya. French Ambassador Arnaud Suquet described the project as a critical investment delivering dignity, health, and opportunities to residents.
Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o welcomed the expansion, calling it a game changer for Kisumu, ensuring fairer water distribution, particularly in informal settlements, and supporting the city’s transformation into a modern urban centre.