Kisumu County has received a major infrastructural boost following the rollout of a Sh10.6 billion water and sanitation upgrade under the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation (LVWATSAN) programme. The investment is expected to significantly expand clean water access and upgrade sewer connections across the city and surrounding areas. According to county officials, the project will enable 25,000 additional households to receive reliable piped water while linking 1,700 more homes to the sewer network—marking one of the most ambitious sanitation efforts undertaken in the region in recent years.
The programme is funded through a partnership involving the national government, international development agencies and the City of Kisumu, with implementation being undertaken by the Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company (KIWASCO). Beyond household connections, the initiative will also extend water and sewerage services to nearly 5,000 affordable housing units in Lumumba, Makasembo and the planned Lake Victoria Marina in Otonglo. County officials say the project seeks not only to expand access but also to improve efficiency. High water losses—often caused by ageing pipes, illegal connections and leakages—have long undermined KIWASCO’s operations. As part of the upgrade, the county aims to reduce water loss to 28 per cent, a move expected to strengthen the utility’s financial position and ensure more stable supply.
Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Muga visited Kisumu on Friday to inspect the progress of ongoing works. During the tour, he handed over a jet-flush truck and specialised equipment designed to help KIWASCO manage non-revenue water more effectively. Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, who hosted the delegation, lauded the investment as a transformative milestone, noting that the city has struggled for years with uneven access to clean water and delayed expansion of sewerage systems. However, he also acknowledged that the project has encountered resistance from some residents in Otonglo, where a proposed sewer treatment plant has sparked concerns and slowed down feasibility studies.
Despite these challenges, both county and national officials expressed optimism that the LVWATSAN programme will deliver long-term benefits. The project is part of a wider push to modernise urban infrastructure in Kisumu, improve public health outcomes and prepare the city for continued growth. Authorities say that once completed, the upgraded system will support expanding housing developments, attract new investments and enhance the overall quality of life for residents living in one of Kenya’s key lakeside cities.