Kipkaren project to boost Eldoret water supply

Eldoret City is set to receive an additional 21,000 cubic metres of water daily once the Kipkaren Water Supply Project in Kapseret Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, is completed, Principal Secretary for Water and Sanitation Julius Korir has said.

The increase will help bridge the city’s supply gap, which currently stands at about 30,000 cubic metres per day. Eldoret receives approximately 40,000 cubic metres against an estimated daily demand of 70,000 cubic metres.

Speaking during an inspection of the works, Korir said the scheme, being implemented under the North Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency, is designed to produce 24,000 cubic metres of treated water each day. Of this amount, 3,000 cubic metres will be allocated to Mosoriot in Nandi County, with the remaining 21,000 cubic metres directed to Eldoret.

“The project in total will deliver 24,000 cubic metres per day, of which 3,000 will be given to Mosoriot to serve the people of Mosoriot in Nandi, and then the balance of 21,000 cubic metres will be serving Eldoret,” said Korir.

The new supply will be integrated into the existing distribution network, benefiting residents in Kapseret, Eldoret International Airport, Racecourse, Upper Elgon View and Langas. Communities in Mlango, Lelmokwo and Mosoriot in Nandi County will also benefit.

The development comprises a conventional treatment plant with a capacity of 24,375 cubic metres per day, a rising main and storage infrastructure. Physical implementation has reached 80 per cent.

According to Korir, construction resumed in February after being stalled for more than four years at 48 per cent. The renewed works have since brought the scheme closer to completion, with the government targeting December 31 for handover.

The Oletebes main storage tank can hold 100,000 cubic metres, while an adjoining 500-cubic-metre tank is designed to generate the pressure required to deliver water to households. The Concreting of the main tank is expected to be completed by October 20, followed by about 20 days of curing and Water-holding tests will then be undertaken in November.

“Over the last six months when we resumed work in February, we have taken the physical progress to 80 per cent. We are on schedule to have the project completely finished by December 31,” he said.

The pipeline connecting the Kipkaren Water Treatment Plant near Eldoret International Airport to the site is already complete. Work on the rising main towards Mosoriot and the storage facilities is also nearing completion.

The Ministry is meanwhile considering an expansion of the Chebara water supply system, including a second pipeline, to accommodate rising demand driven by population growth and migration into Eldoret.

“At the moment, we are supplying Eldoret with around 40,000 cubic metres per day from Chebara and other sources against a demand of about 70,000,” said Korir.

The inspection also covered additional works under the Eldoret Sewerage Last Mile Connectivity Project, which has attained 50 per cent completion.

The sewerage extension is expected to benefit up to 10,000 people and is scheduled for completion by December, further expanding access to reliable sanitation services.

The developments are part of government efforts to strengthen water and sanitation infrastructure and improve service delivery for communities in Uasin Gishu and neighbouring Nandi County.