ADVERT 
A bold KSh 369 million recovery plan unveiled by the Siaya-Bondo Water and Sanitation Company (SIBOWASCO) could redefine water access in Siaya, as the utility moves aggressively to slash runaway energy costs, plug massive water losses, and stabilize supply.
Presented at a high-stakes Annual General Meeting, the plan lays bare a utility at a turning point—posting strong performance gains, yet straining under the weight of soaring operational expenses.
SIBOWASCO’s latest report shows clear progress: national WASREB ranking improved from 62nd to 50th, water coverage climbed to 62%, quality compliance hit 96%, and Non-Revenue Water (NRW) dropped sharply from 56% to 40.6%.
But behind the gains lies a costly reality.
The utility is bleeding nearly KSh 60 million annually on electricity, with Abura and South Sakwa schemes each consuming about KSh 1 million monthly. Another KSh 40 million goes into treatment chemicals—tightening an already strained balance sheet.
“Without urgent intervention, these costs will erode the gains we’ve made,” warned Managing Director CPA Isaiah Adipo. “Solar is no longer optional—it is the lifeline.”
At the heart of the plan is a decisive shift to hybrid solar-powered pumping systems aimed at cutting power bills, reducing outages, and shielding operations from grid instability.
County Water Executive Prof. Jacqueline Oduol backed the reforms but issued a stern warning on vandalism and illegal connections.
“These acts are economic sabotage. They deny residents water and reverse progress. We must protect what we build,” she said.
The recovery blueprint zeroes in on five pressure points:
– Operations & Compliance (KSh 58M): Clear power arrears, secure chemical supplies, and keep systems running.
– Energy & Reliability (KSh 123.5M): Solarize key schemes and install backup pumps to end service interruptions.
– Cutting Water Losses (KSh 68M): Replace 12km of aging pipes, roll out smart metering, and seal leakages.
– Boosting Capacity (KSh 17.5M): Rehabilitate storage tanks and restore Abura Dam output.
– Sewer Expansion (KSh 102M): Upgrade trunk sewers and expand urban sanitation coverage.
The most urgent battle remains NRW—water produced but lost before billing. SIBOWASCO aims to push losses below 30%, a critical benchmark for financial survival.
If achieved, the gains could be transformative: more reliable supply, lower operating costs, and expanded access for thousands of households.
SIBOWASCO is pitching the plan not as new spending, but as a necessary reset.
“These are investments that protect public health, secure infrastructure, and expand access,” Adipo emphasized.
With county backing and partner support now the missing link, the spotlight shifts to funding decisions that could determine whether Siaya finally turns the corner on water access—or remains trapped in cycles of loss and costly inefficiency.
