By Peter Ochieng
Leaders have united in condemning vandalism of public utility projects in various parts of Busia county.
The projects include the Malaba Water project that was commissioned in January this year, by President William Ruto.
Busia governor Paul Otuoma, has urged investigative and security agencies to bring to book the culprits, who are behind the vandalism.
The main distribution line of Malaba water project was reportedly vandalised at the border of Teso North in Busia, and Sirisia in Bungoma county.
A similar incident was reported on January 25th 2024, where more than 10 goons broke into Nasewa-based County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) in Matayos Subcounty, and disappeared with building materials and assorted equipment.
Addressing the press in Matayos, the governor who was flanked by Members of Parliament Raphael Wanjala (Budalang’i), Geoffrey Mulanya (Nambale), Joseph Oyula (Butula) and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency (LVNWWDA) Joel Wamalwa, warned that he will not allow anyone to destroy development projects aimed at facilitating residents to access basic services and amenities.
“Vandalism of this shared resource constitutes a major setback in our efforts to ensure that residents have uninterrupted safe, clean and sustainable water supply. Anyone who feels aggrieved should raise concern with appropriate channels for action.”
He stated that the act risks denying at least 180,000 households access to water.
Wamalwa confirmed that they have commenced the process of compensating the communities affected by the project.
“Its true the process has taken long, but we have fast tracked the same and the communities around Chesikaki, Sirisia all the way to Malaba will be compensated and connected to the line. In the meantime the Water Police Unit has picked up matter for further action,” said Wamalwa.
The county government of Busia through Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency has secured Ksh 300 million from national government to operationalize the last mile connectivity of Malaba water treatment project to serve the community.
Meanwhile, the county boss said that his administration has streamlined the governance issues of Busia Water and Sewerage Company (BUWASCO) with a new board and CEO to enable the company to collaborate with development partners, in order to avail clean water to the people of Busia.
The lawmakers, both at the national and county level were urged to submit their respective reports to the governor for onward transmission.