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This project will provide convenient, affordable access to clean water in 6 communities in Western Kenya. It is a partnership between the County governments of Homa Bay, and Migori Counties, Living Water International, the Rotary Club of Suna Migori, and the Rotary Club of Redondo Beach. Other Rotary Clubs, Rotary Districts and The Rotary Foundation will provide funding.
This is the 10th water project that Rotary clubs of Suna Migori and Redondo Beach have done together. Our projects have partnered with 50 Rotary Clubs to provide clean water at 28 schools and 18 villages. We have impacted the lives of over 100,000 people and raised over $820,000.
THE NEED
Most rural communities in Kenya do not have access to clean water. The women and girls spend hours each day walking several kilometers to fetch dirty water from water holes, streams and rivers. This means that they spend less time on more productive activities like farming, earning an income, caring for their families and going to school. Roughly half of diseases in rural Kenya are from contaminated water with the related suffering and medical costs. Women and girls are at risk of harassment and sexual assault as they walk to the contaminated water sources. These communities also need improved community development, economic development and empowerment of women. All of these start with access to water. .
Ground water in this part of Kenya is generally plentiful, of good quality and usually 50 to 200 meters deep.
THE PROGRAM
In each community we provide a water system that has a deep borehole, a solar powered pump, a 10,000 liter water tank on a 6 meter high steel tower with solar panels on top and a distribution kiosk by a public road. Each system serves on average about 2,500 people.
This project will construct 6 water systems in 6 separate villages. In most cases our partners are providing the well and Rotary will provide the training, pump, kiosk, water tank and all of the other equipment.
The Rotary Water systems can serve as the core for a piped water distribution system providing piped water to schools and other locations. Any piped distribution system will be developed by the community using revenue from the water sales and other community funds. This is working at locations in this area where Rotary has already provided water systems.
When complete the water system is usually turned over to the village women’s group. They will take full ownership and responsibility to operate and maintain the facility.
The operators are trained in operational management, technical maintenance, bookkeeping, basic plumbing, data collection, hygiene, etc. A program to visit each project for a follow up assessment and to provide ongoing mentoring is a part of this training program. Community hygiene training will be provided by the County Health officers in coordination with this project.
Most rural communities have an existing, registered women’s group. These groups are business oriented. As the village women are the primary beneficiaries of having clean accessible water, they are highly motivated to ensure that the system operates sustainably. Our goal is to strengthen the women’s group and to provide them with the tools they need to be successful owners and operators of the water system. All of our systems are working well after several years.
Some of the key features that are a part of each community water system are:
1. The women’s group or water committee will be the owner and operator of the system. They partner in planning the system and will make all of the operational decisions once it is completed.
2. The water will be sold to provide funds for maintenance and repairs. Any profits must be spent within the community on projects that benefit the community.
3. Everyone in the community will have equal access to the water.
4. Extensions of water lines to homes, schools, additional water points etc. will not be a part of this project. These may be funded separately by the community or from revenue from water sales.
5. The use of the water distribution kiosk as a small shop is encouraged. The owner of the shop is given a lease that requires them to dispense and sell water during regular hours in return for use of the kiosk as a shop. The operator keeps records and turns over the water revenue.
6. ALL facilities will be located on public or community land adjacent to a public road.
The Counties of Migori and Homa Bay have previously drilled many boreholes which are not in use or have a non-functioning hand pump. There are over 40 of these wells in each county. The counties have prioritized these wells and we will be working on their prioritized wells. Migori County has their own drill rig and will be drilling new wells, at their cost, as a part of this project.
This project will be a mix of the existing non-functioning wells and new wells developed with our partner organization Living Water International. Living Water will provide the drilling for some new wells. Another NGO will be drilling 3 wells. The locations of all the wells will be chosen in consultation between the Kenyan Rotarians and the county Governments. The Migori Rotarians have an excellent working relationship with the county governments.
All wells will be tested for water quantity and quality before any equipment is installed there.
BUDGET AND FUNDING
These numbers are preliminary and may be revised as the project is developed.
The cost for each community water system is currently US$26,5000 when there is an existing borehole. The counties contribution is to provide the existing, non-functioning boreholes. The budget is $163,000.
At a cost of $26,500 to provide a source of clean water for about 2,500 people, the cost is about $10 per person. This provides a huge impact for a small contribution.
SCHEDULE
Our goal is to have the project planned, funds raised and the grant application submitted to The Rotary Foundation for approval and funding in June 2026. Approval should be complete in August 2026. Funds will be required in the 2026/27 Rotary year, after July 1, 2026. Physical implementation of the project will take 6 to 8 months.
Please look at this YouTube video of one of our recent projects. It was a great project and a wonderful dedication party. Or search on YouTube for “Peter Lattey Seme Kaima.â€
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u58DoLiazLc
For more information, please contact Peter Lattey at 310-968-3252 or peter@peterlattey.com
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