The County government of Kisii is set to supply water tanks to all public Secondary and Primary Schools across the County in a bid to address the issue of water shortage and bolster education in the County.
The Kisii county government has put aside Sh70 million for the project which will see one school in each of the 45 wards in the County get a tank in the first phase.
“We want to start slowly but by the end of five years each school would have received a water tank.” Said, Governor Simba Arati in a statement.
He said it was not fair for students to walk for long distances in search of water at the expense of their studies.
He asked school hea teachers to take care of the tanks after installation in their schools to ensure their long durability.
“The School management Committees should assist head teachers to capture the care and maintenance of these tanks in their infrastructural budgetary allocation. “He advised.
Arati asked the ministry in charge of water in the county to work closely with schools and advise give advice on water treatment of the harvested water before use.
The County chief said the project will lead to the accomplishment of some learning activities like irrigation of school gardens, starting of small fish ponds and watering of animals as part of participating in the wider food security programme in the country.
He also said climate change mitigation will also be boosted through the project which will provide water during the dry season for plants and trees.
“Climate change is a global sad reality, therefore the harvested water will be used during the drought to water plants and protect them from drying because they are very important for the conservation and preservation of the environment.” He said.
The first phase of the project gives priority to the schools that are located in the higher parts because water springs are not easily available there.
Among the schools that benefitted in the preliminary phase are Igorera, Riamang’ata and Nyakorere Primary Schools.
Magenche Ward MCA Timothy Ogugu lauded the program and promised to build two modern Classrooms worth Sh20 million for ECDE pupils at Itongo and Nyabiosi Primary Schools.
The event was presided over by the Executive Secretary to the Cabinet (ESC)in the Ministry of Water Leah Ogega who was flanked by the director in charge of education in the Kisii County government Eric Mobegi and other officials from the county government.
By Enock Okong’o
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