ADVERT 
In a bold and long-overdue intervention, the County Government of Siaya has moved to halt the costly and disruptive cycle of road construction projects destroying critical water infrastructure, leaving tens of thousands without access to clean water.
During a high-level inter-agency meeting convened today, county officials resolved to enforce strict coordination between road contractors and water service providers, following widespread damage to pipelines serving more than 50,000 residents.
The meeting brought together the Department of Public Works, Roads, Energy & Transport, the Department of Water, Environment, Natural Resources & Climate Change, and Siaya-Bondo Water and Sanitation Company Limited (SIBOWASCO), signaling a unified front to safeguard essential services.
Opening the session, CECM for Public Works, Roads, Energy and Transport, Hon. Erick Abungu Odawa, delivered a firm directive that sets the tone for future development.
“We cannot build roads by breaking water lines. Public investment must protect public investment,” he said. “From today, no trench will be opened without consultation, joint site assessments, and timely communication.”
Odawa ordered the immediate integration of water sector teams into monthly project inspections to identify risks before construction begins.
“Our people deserve roads and water. Our duty is to deliver both,” he added.
A technical report presented by SIBOWASCO painted a stark picture of the damage. Engineers detailed destruction across key infrastructure corridors, including Siaya-Kababa Ring Road, Ugunja, Sega, Ndori, Camunya, and multiple pipeline zones.
Critical assets destroyed include transmission mains, chambers, fittings, and consumer connections — disrupting 8,200 water accounts and cutting off supply to homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses.
To cushion residents, SIBOWASCO has deployed emergency water bowsers. However, Managing Director CPA Adipo Isaiah warned that this is unsustainable.
“Bowsering is not a solution. Revenue is falling, dormant accounts are rising, and more importantly, our people are suffering,” he said. “Development must not compromise essential services.”
Chief Officer for Public Works and Roads, Eng. Kevin Ajuul, acknowledged the gravity of the situation and committed to corrective action.
“Smooth development needs continuous consultation,” he said. “We will ensure water sector representatives are part of all project site visits going forward.”
His counterpart in the Water Department, Ms. Judith Oyugi, emphasized that coordination is no longer optional.
“Roads and water must complement—not disrupt—each other. Regular consultation is now mandatory if we are to protect public investments and ensure service continuity,” she stated.
The meeting concluded with a clear, action-driven roadmap:
– Immediate Restoration: All damaged infrastructure to be repaired under joint technical supervision.
– Compensation Mechanism: Framework to recover asset losses and revenue disruptions in line with WASREB guidelines.
– Preventive Protocols: Mandatory utility mapping and SIBOWASCO approval before any excavation begins.
– Shared Accountability: Cross-departmental teams embedded in planning, execution, and supervision of projects.
The meeting brought together senior county officials, engineers, and technical teams — marking a turning point in how Siaya executes development projects.
Closing the session, CPA Adipo Isaiah captured the urgency and unity of purpose:
“The law, the people, and common sense demand it — we plan together, we build together, and we protect services together.”
For thousands of residents who have endured dry taps and long treks in search of water, the county’s decisive action offers renewed hope that development will no longer come at the cost of basic human needs.
As Siaya pushes forward with infrastructure expansion, one message is now clear: progress must sustain life, not disrupt it.
