Report on Kapchumba, Chemila and Tablule water project in Ainamoi Ward and status of Chepcholiet water pan in Chepseon

BACKGROUND

Following the statement raised by Hon.Cheruyiot Bett on 10^th October, 2017 concerning Kapchumba, Chemila and Tablule water project in Ainamoi Ward and  status of Chepcholiet water pan in Chepseon ward as sought by Hon Alfred Cheruiyot, the members considered the Statements and agreed to visit the site to check on the implementation status of the said projects.

The members visited the site on 9^th November, 2017 and made the following observation;

 CHEMILA WATER PROJECT 

The project was started in 1980 by the local community funded by Agricultural finance Corporation. The scope of work included;

1. Drenching
2. Laying of pipes
3. Construction of three water Tanks
4. Construction of water weir at the source

In 2002 the Ministry of Water under El-Niño floods mitigation project did minor repairs to the project by constructing top covers on the three tanks which had initially been constructed by the community. In 2017 the County Government did minor repairs as follows:

1. Plastering of first and second Tank
2. Building of a Sub water weir at the Chemila water source to serve the cattle trough
3. Repair of Top cover at the second tank

However the committee noted that the water source needs to urgently be desilted to increase water level and proper fencing and planting of indigenous trees all around the site to protect the water source.

Weir constructed at Chemila Water Project (November 2017)

Renovated Chemila Water Masonry Tank 1 (November 2017)

Renovated Chemila Masonry Water Tank 2 (November 2017)

KAPCHUMBA WATER PROJECT
The project was started in 1997 funded by Catholic Diocese of Nakuru. The Scope of works included;

1. Construction of water weir at the Source
2. Drenching
3. Laying of the pipes
4. Construction of one water tank

In 2017 the County Government funded the renovation works of the project as follows;

1. A new water weir was constructed upstream about 85 metres from the original water weir, the committee noted that this poses a serious health hazard to the residents as the weir collect storm water.
2. The County Government did minor repairs on the tank but the committee noted that the tank was porous thus could hold water.

 The committee noted that the water source needs proper fencing and planting of indigenous trees all around the site to protect the water source.

Weir constructed at Kapchumba Water Project (November 2017)

Renovated Kapchumba Water Tank (November 2017)

TABLULE Water Project

• The project was started in 2017 by the local community
• The County Government only supplied 300 pieces 2 inch pipes and the local community did the drenching and laying of pipes.
• Currently the project serves around 50 resident of Chemorir village.
• A temporary water weir was constructed at the source using wood off guards 
• Currently the project has no water tank for storage and distribution.

CHEPCHOLIET Water Pan
Following the statement raised by Hon. Alfred Cheruiyot on 10th October, 2017 concerning Chepcholiet water Pan in Chepseon Ward the members considered the Statement and agreed to visit the site to check on the implementation status of the said project.
The members visited the site on 5th December, 2017 and made the following observation;

Scope of works: 
Excavation of reservoir, silt trap and spill way, repair of broken embankment, raising the level of embankment and repair of a cattle trough.

• Spillway was not done to the standard.
• Excavation of water reservoir was not done since it was an existing project
• The Water trough was repaired
•  Pipe work was done for a distance of about 20 metres from the dam to the water trough.
•  The existing fence was repaired to secure the Pan borders.

Chepcholiet water pan with the repaired embankment

Incomplete Chepcholiet spillway

The repaired cattle trough

COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS AND FINDINGS
The committee made the following observations and findings during the site visits;

1. The Kapchumba water project was started in 1997, it was funded by the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru. 
2. Chemila water project was started in 1980 ,it was funded by the local community in collaboration with Agricultural Finance Corporation(AFC)
3. Tablule water project was started in the year 2017 by the local community and supported by the County Government of Kericho through provision of 300 pipes.
4. Chepcholiet water pan was started in April 2009 ,it was funded by Kipkelion Constituency Development Fund at the cost of 4.5M
5. The initial plan of the project should have been expanded to provide for a water treatment plan for the residents to access clean drinking water. 
6. The County Government repaired the broken embankment, raising the level of embankment and repair of a cattle trough at the cost of 9.7M
7. Poor workmanship was clearly evident in the implementation of the projects as exhibited by the attached photographs.
8. Implementation of the projects clearly lacked proper supervision.
9. There was clear indication that value for money was not achieved.
10. It was evident that the County Government funded existing water projects.

Committee’s recommendations

1. The County Government Officers and contractors in charge of the projects should be surcharged since it was evident that the project was funded as conduit for squandering public funds.
2. Contractors responsible for the shoddy work should be blacklisted and barred from engaging in any contract with the County Government in future.
3. The time frame between the awards of the Contract to completion of the contract should be strictly adhered to.
4. Terms and conditions for the contracts should be executed by the contractors and the County Government.
5. There is need for involvement of stakeholders (community) in management and supervision of the water projects.
6. Final Evaluation/inspection report must be submitted to the Assembly before final payments are made.
7. The bill of quantities should be brought to the attention of the area Member of County Assembly and members of the public/stakeholders for ease of management of the projects. 

Acknowledgement
The Committee wishes to thank the offices of the Speaker and the Clerk to the County Assembly for facilitation to the Committee on Water, Energy, Forestry, Environment and Natural Resources for the necessary support extended to it in the execution of its mandate.
Mr. Speaker Sir,
It is my pleasant duty, pursuant to Standing Order 194, to present the Report of the Committee on Water, Energy, Forestry, Environment and Natural Resources regarding the statement raised by Hon.Cheruyiot Bett and Hon Alfred Cheruiyot.

Hon. Philip Rono
Chairman-Water, Energy, Forestry, Environment and Natural Resources Committee