BY MANUEL ODENY

Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko has said that access to clean water will help the county address water shortages and gender parity.

Ochilo, who spoke during the launch of a water project in Kegonga-Kuria East Sub County, said that the lack of clean water in most parts of the county, especially in semi-arid areas like Nyatike, was a challenge.

However, he affirmed that his administration will collaborate with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Western Kenya Project to achieve clean water in the county.

The Western Kenya Water Project (WKWP), funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has been supporting decentralised county governments in western Kenya to deliver inclusive and sustainable services that strengthen water security and services.

Ochilo said that the lack of clean water was creating a gender parity denying girls and women equal opportunities in education and economic activities.

“Our girls lose a lot of education time seeking clean water for the family and while our mothers lose valuable time looking for the precious commodity while their male counterparts are engaging in income generating activities”, noted Ochilo.

He said that the launch of the Kegonga water project will help solve some of the problem that the community is undergoing and make it a better place to live.