Siaya moves to secure safe water in schools

The County Government of Siaya has entered into a five-year partnership with Impact Water to improve access to safe drinking water in public schools, targeting approximately 289,000 learners across 640 institutions.

The agreement, signed recently, establishes a framework for making safe drinking water a reliable and sustainable service in schools by integrating water treatment into government planning, budgeting, procurement and delivery systems.

The partnership aims to move Siaya closer to universal coverage of safe drinking water in public schools, ensuring that learners can access treated water throughout the school year.

Access to clean and safe drinking water remains an important component of school health and sanitation. When drinking water is contaminated, learners may be exposed to disease-causing microorganisms that contribute to diarrhoeal illnesses, potentially affecting their health, school attendance and ability to concentrate in class.

Water treatment is therefore essential in protecting learners from waterborne diseases. Through the partnership, Impact Water and the county government will promote chlorination, a proven method of treating water to make it safer for consumption.

Chlorination kills many bacteria and viruses responsible for waterborne illnesses and helps protect treated water from contamination during storage. The method is also practical for school settings because it does not require electricity or highly specialized technical skills.

However, sustaining access to safe drinking water requires more than introducing a treatment method. Schools need a consistent supply of chlorine, proper distribution arrangements and systems that ensure water treatment continues throughout the year.

The five-year agreement seeks to address these challenges by establishing a sustainable approach through which the county government can incorporate the procurement and delivery of water-treatment supplies into its routine public service operations.

By embedding safe drinking water provision within government systems, the partnership seeks to reduce dependence on one-off interventions and support the long-term delivery of treated water to learners.

The agreement also brings together county health, education and water teams, reflecting the importance of coordinated action in improving school water, sanitation and hygiene services.

The partnership was facilitated through collaboration between county officials and Impact Water representatives, including Global Lead for Strategic Government Partnerships Emmanuel Dennis and Kenya Country Director Emily Machocho Kirigha.

County Executive Committee Member Prof. Jacqueline Oduol, Chief Officer for Health and Sanitation Dr. Samuel Owino, and County Director for Health and Sanitation Dr. Ken Orunjo were among the officials involved in the engagement.

The initiative highlights the role of county governments in ensuring that access to safe drinking water becomes a routine public service rather than a temporary project. By strengthening supply arrangements and institutional responsibility, Siaya aims to establish a model that can sustain water-treatment services across its public schools.

If effectively implemented, the partnership could help protect learners from preventable waterborne illnesses while supporting a healthier school environment and improved access to essential water, sanitation and hygiene services.

The agreement marks a step towards ensuring that every learner in Siaya’s public schools has access to safe drinking water, backed by systems designed to maintain the service over the long term