The government of Kenya led by the head of state William Ruto unveiled the first sewerage system in Olkalou in Nyandarua County.
The project built by Sinohydro Corporation and Engineering of China, commenced in 2020. The Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency (CRVWWDA) oversaw the implementation of the sewerage project.
The scope of the project included the establishment of a wastewater treatment plant with a daily capacity of 3,300 m³, comprising various components such as inlet works, aerobic ponds, facultative ponds, maturation ponds, sludge lagoons, and associated site works. Additionally, 38 km of secondary and tertiary sewers were laid to create a comprehensive sewage network serving Olkalou and surrounding towns.
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Benefits
Anticipated to cater to a population of 68,800 by 2040, this sewage system represents a vital infrastructure improvement for the region. The CRVWWDA emphasized the transformative impact of the project, expecting it to alleviate the longstanding challenges of sewage disposal in Olkalou while also stimulating economic activity by attracting investors to the agriculturally rich Nyandarua County.
In conjunction with the sewage system, Sinohydro also facilitated the construction of a drinking water station capable of producing 2,000 m³ of potable water per day, along with a 10 km water supply network within Olkalou. The involvement of the local workforce, which averaged over 115 individuals per day, with a majority being young people, underscored the project’s commitment to empowering the community.
The project, incurred a total cost of nearly US $974,209.50. Funding for this initiative was derived from a loan provided by the African Development Bank (AfDB) as part of the broader Kenya Sustainable Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Programme (KSTWSSP). This program aims to enhance the quality of life and alleviate poverty in Kenya by delivering sustainable water and sanitation services across the country.