Chulaimbo Secondary School and other schools within Chulaimbo Sub-County in Kisumu County are set to benefit from a Ksh5 million water project launched by Kisumu County in partnership with the German Gersthofen.
The project, launched on Wednesday by Gersthofen First Mayor Michael Wörle and Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili is expected to expand access to clean piped water to at least 800 households in Kisumu West.
It will be managed by Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company (KIWASCO).
The initiative comes a year after the county government signed a memorandum of understanding twinning Kisumu with Gersthofen, a deal aimed at unlocking collaboration in key sectors including water, environment and skills development.
Speaking during the launch, Dr. Owili said the project is part of that broader cooperation, which seeks to improve access to essential services amid limited county resources.
“The resource envelope available for counties may not be enough to cover all the projects we want to implement. Partnerships such as this are key because they help bridge that gap,” said Owili.
He noted that the Chulaimbo project is the first major outcome of the partnership, adding that the borehole located within the Chulaimbo Sub-County Hospital has already been connected to previously underserved sections of the facility and extended to Chulaimbo Secondary School.
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The school, which hosts about 1,700 students and staff, he said, will benefit from improved water supply, reducing the need for learners to walk long distances in search of water.
Owili said the project will also serve the wider community through additional water points and household connections.
“We have agreed that the water will be piped to two other water points so that the community can benefit. Residents are also encouraged to connect directly and install meters through KIWASCO,” he said.
According to the Deputy Governor, the borehole has a production capacity of 8.3 cubic metres per hour, describing it as a high-yield source capable of serving a large population.
German City of Gerthoffen Mayor Michael Wörle described the project as a milestone in strengthening ties between the two regions, saying more initiatives are already in the pipeline.
“Water is life and a human right. At the same time, education is key for young people. This project supports both the school and the wider community,” he said.
He said the partnership will also focus on environmental conservation, waste management and the introduction of German language training programmes targeting youth.
The mayor noted that the language programme is expected to prepare young people in Kisumu to tap into employment opportunities in Germany, following ongoing bilateral engagements expected to see up to 250,000 Kenyans secure jobs in the European country.
Kisumu North West Ward MCA Vincent Jagongo urged residents to take advantage of the existing infrastructure by applying for water connections.
“We already have KIWASCO pipes in place. It is now a matter of tapping into them so every household can access water,” he said.
By Fredrick Odiero
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