Nyabondo WASH Project

Total Project Cost: $36,700

Project Location: Nyabondo Parish, Kisumu County, Kenya

Project & Program Background

The Nyabondo WASH Project, which includes the school, healthcare facility, and the surrounding community, was initiated through WEFTA’s ongoing partnership with the Safe Water and Sustainable Hygiene Initiative (SAWASHI), following community calls for improved water and sanitation access. Despite its vibrant agricultural and fishing-based economy, Nyabondo Parish faces major WASH challenges, including unsafe and seasonal water sources, poor sanitation infrastructure, and frequent waterborne disease outbreaks.

Together with local leaders, including Rev. Fr. Alfred Atemo and Mr. Francis Omondi, SAWASHI and WEFTA have worked to design a sustainable project that will dramatically improve water availability, hygiene practices, and community well-being across Nyabondo’s 9,000 residents.

Community Background

Nyabondo is a rural parish community located in Kisumu County, western Kenya, with a youthful and growing population spread across 1,500 households. Most residents rely on small-scale farming and, to a lesser extent, fishing activities tied to nearby Lake Victoria. However, widespread poverty, inconsistent access to healthcare, and seasonal food insecurity continue to burden the population.

Water scarcity is a major challenge, exacerbated by climate variability and dependence on contaminated surface water sources. Educational institutions and the local health facility operate without reliable water access or sanitation infrastructure, undermining both public health and learning environments.

Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) Concerns

Nyabondo’s limited access to safe water and sanitation places the community at continual risk of waterborne diseases, such as typhoid, cholera, and diarrhea. With no toilets currently available at the healthcare facility and insufficient hygiene facilities at local schools, the risk to vulnerable populations—including women, children, and the elderly—is significant.

The proposed borehole system will provide a stable and safe water supply year-round, greatly enhancing sanitation and hygiene practices, reducing illness, and improving overall quality of life.

Proposed Project

The Nyabondo WASH Project will include:

• Conducting hydrogeological surveys to identify the optimal site for borehole drilling.
• Drilling a deep borehole and installing a solar-powered pump system.
• Constructing a pipeline network to deliver water to key community points, including schools, the health center, and water kiosks.
• Building handwashing stations at the schools and healthcare facility.
• Constructing two sanitation facilities—one each at the school and health center.
• Training and mobilizing a local Water User Committee (WUC) to oversee ongoing operation and maintenance.

The project timeline is estimated at 8 to 10 weeks following mobilization.

Sustainability Considerations

Sustainability is a central pillar of this project. A community-led Water User Committee will be established to manage daily operations, coordinate maintenance, and collect small user fees to fund future repairs. SAWASHI and WEFTA will provide ongoing technical support and capacity-building to ensure proper system management.

The parish church and community development leadership will maintain oversight and help enforce accountability. Additional value-added components, such as tree nursery initiatives, will promote environmental sustainability and potential income generation.

Community Engagement

This project is grounded in strong community participation. Residents have been fully engaged through needs assessments, site planning, and preparation for construction. Community members will contribute in-kind labor and resources throughout the construction process.

The Nyabondo community has already committed $9,000—nearly 25% of total project costs—demonstrating remarkable local ownership and commitment to long-term success.

WEFTA Volunteers

WEFTA will contribute 15% of the total project cost as in-kind technical support, including:

• Engineering design assistance and site assessment
• Solar pumping system recommendations
• Sanitation and handwashing infrastructure guidance
• Capacity-building for water quality assurance and community training

This collaborative support ensures a technically sound and locally appropriate system, reinforcing WEFTA’s mission to support community-driven, sustainable WASH solutions. 

If you would like additional information about this project, please contact us.