National Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula says clean Water is a critical resource for homes, institutions, and the nation at large.
The Speaker made the remarks Thursday morning while hosting H.E Kang Hyungshik, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Kenya, at Parliament Buildings.
Ambassador Hyungshik briefed the Speaker on the progress made in the implementation of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Water project co-funded by the government of Kenya in Bungoma County.
“This is a project I initiated to expand basic water services and enhance accessibility, thereby enabling the strengthening of water systems within the region,” said Hon. Wetang’ula.
The two affirmed their commitment to strengthening Parliamentary diplomacy through regular engagements spearheaded by the Kenya-Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group.
“Kenya enjoys a great cordial diplomatic engagement with Korea, with Kenya recently holding a World Scouts Conference, which led to Kenya acquiring the Presidency of the Body,” noted the Speaker.
Ambassador Hyungshik said that since the establishment of formal ties, Kenya and Korea have deepened their collaboration across multiple sectors, including trade, education, and technology transfer, health, and infrastructure development.
Korea has been instrumental in supporting Kenya’s socio-economic development through capacity building programs, concessional financing, and technical assistance, particularly under the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
He said Korean investments and public-private partnerships have steadily increased, contributing to job creation and innovation in key industries.
The water project is aimed at strengthening the operational and management capabilities of water supply facilities.
The project aims to provide water supply services to 40 percent of the population and will improve the water treatment levels to 12,000 cubic meters every day.
There will be 82 kilometers distribution area and 27 water reservoirs, with an improved afforestation upstream to 10 hectares.
The project aims to enhance the ability to respond to climate change sustainably and identify a robust, flexible water sources development strategy that ensures security of supply within Bungoma town.
Currently, according to the KOICA survey, only 11 percent of the total population in the beneficial areas has access to safe water through pipelines.
The current rivers water sources require source protection measures due to influx of soil and pollutants from upstream with rainwater precipitation events.
The Ambassador noted that Korea will host the Korea-Africa Ministerial Summit on 1st June 2026.
The Summit will present an opportunity for Kenya to highlight national priorities for enhanced consideration within the context of Korea-Africa cooperation.
Currently, Korea is assisting Nairobi to develop the Nairobi Intelligent Transport System (NITS) and has communicated Samsung C&T Corporation’s interest in contract for the upgrade of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and was advised to submit bid when bidding process was launched.
Korea Exim Bank is in the process of establishing an operational office in Nairobi to facilitate its representatives to effectively carry out their duties in relation to Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF)-funded projects.
By Anthony Solly
