In their bid to provide clean and safe water for communities of Kerwa Village in Kiambu County, Amref Health Africa in Kenya, EABL Foundation and Kiambu County Government commissioned a renovated borehole to the community at a ceremony held on October 24. The renovation of the borehole which will benefit approximately 7,000 people from the county was made possible by funding from EABL Foundation to a sum of US$ 42,900.

 

The scope of work entailed renovation of a 225m3 masonry, water tank, water kiosk, pump house and the development of a 1.5km water pipeline. For a very long time, the community had battled with water scarcity. This might be the reason they turned up in large numbers to witness the life changing project being commissioned. 

 

It was not long ago when Kerwa village was one of the driest villages in Kiambu County. Girls had to miss school as they spent several hours looking for water on a daily basis. In commissioning the project, Hon Kimani Ichung’wa Member of Parliament of Kikuyu Constituency remarked that,” This borehole will positively change lives of people in Kiambu County.”

 

Hon Ichung’wa assured everyone that his constituency will continue to work with development partners to identify other health needs and undertake appropriate interventions. He called on others to emulate the gesture of Amref Health Africa in Kenya and EABL Foundation describing them as true corporate groups that mind the lives of communities in Kenya.

 

Also addressing the gathering, Erick Kiniti, Corporate Relations Director EABL Foundation, noted that, “By providing clean and safe water to the community, we will reduce water-borne diseases in Kerwa.”

 

 

In addition, the event also marked the ground breaking ceremony for the second phase of the project targeting approximately 4,000 people at a cost of US$ 65,000 from the foundation. The second phase will entail drilling of a new borehole and development of a 3km pipeline.

 

A representative from Kerwa Women’s Group praised Amref Health Africa and EABL Foundation for coming to their aid. She stated that lack of clean and safe water was a major constraint but through the commissioning, it is now a thing of the past.

Meanwhile, the EABL Foundation, on the same day, also donated a tent and over 30 seats to the Kerwa Women’s Group. Also in attendance was a team from Amref Health Africa led by Dr George Kimathi Director Institute of Capacity Development at Amref Health Africa.

 

By Maureen Cherongis/Communications

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