Tunis, 3 November 2009 – The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group approved on Tuesday, 3 November 2009 in Tunis, a loan of USD 123 million (Units of Account 77.92 million) to finance the Small Towns and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation project in Kenya.
The project addresses the water supply and sanitation problems in a number of small towns and the provision of water storage in Yatta area.
The project has three components (1) institutional development support to strengthen the commercial, technical and financial aspects of the Water Service Providers; (2) water supply and wastewater infrastructure rehabilitation and extension; and (3) water storage intervention which includes the construction of the multipurpose Yatta dam.
The beneficiaries of the proposed project will be the Lake Victoria South Water Services Board (LVSWSB). This comprises the Bondo and Siaya populations; Tana Water Services Board (TWSB), for the populations of Maua, Mukurweini, Othaya; and Tanathi Water Services Board (TAWSB) deserving the Kitui and Yatta Districts. The total number of beneficiaries is estimated at 0.78 million.
Inadequate water supply and sanitation in these towns and surrounding areas accounts for the many cases of water borne diseases recorded in the area. The project is expected to improve water supply and sanitation, public health facilities, curtail water borne diseases, increase food security through additional water storage, stimulate economic development and ensure environmental sustainability. The project will contribute toward meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in water supply and sanitation. The Bank has a long experience in the water and sanitation sector development in East Africa, Kenya and elsewhere on the continent and has used this long experience to develop the project. Through supporting the project, the Bank demonstrates its commitment to engage with the Government in addressing water supply, sanitation and water storage challenges in the country.
1Unit of Account (UA) = 1.59 USD as of 3 November 2009
