UGUNJA, SIAYA COUNTY – August 31, 2025

The air in Ugunja was filled with more than just the usual dust and heat this Sunday; it was charged with a profound sense of celebration and hope. For thousands of residents from Ugunja, Sega, and Ukwala, a long-awaited dream finally became a reality as the President officially turned on the wheel for the new Ugunja-Sega-Ukwala Water Supply and Sanitation Project in Magoya Village.

The event was more than a ribbon-cutting; it was a community festival, marking the end of long treks for water and the beginning of a new chapter of health and opportunity.

This transformative project, implemented by Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency (CRVWWDA) in collaboration with Lake Victoria Water Works Development Agency funded the Government of Kenya and African Development Bank under the Kenya Towns Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Program, promises to bring clean, reliable water directly to households, schools, clinics and businesses across the three sub-counties.

For business people like Mr. Ochieng’, a hotel owner in Ugunja, it means efficiency in running his business and profit increases.

"What we are launching today is not just pipes and tanks," the President told the cheering crowd. "It is a foundation for better health, for new businesses and for the dignity of every family. This is the commitment we are making to all Kenyans."

The project’s secret weapon is its clever, sustainable heart: a hydro-turbine system that harnesses the energy of the water itself to pump it uphill to the massive Mandungu storage tank. This ingenious solution is a game-changer, slashing massive electricity bills and ensuring the project can serve generations to come without being crippled by high costs.

Figure 1Inside the turbine station

Hon. Nderitu Mathenge, Chairperson of CRVWWDA, and CEO CPA Douglas Murei shared the community's excitement. They emphasized that this project is a testament to the power of partnership and a direct step towards achieving the nation’s development goals.

As the first streams of clean water flowed from the new taps, the message was clear: this is more than just infrastructure. It’s a river of life, health, and prosperity, finally flowing for the people of Siaya.

Figure 2 Aeriel view of Ugunja town