Ringa Kodongo Residents Appeal for Urgent Water Project to End Long-Standing Crisis

Kenya, 14 April 2026 - Residents of Ringa Kodongo in Awendo Constituency are calling on the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency and area leadership to urgently intervene and address a persistent water shortage that has affected the community for over a decade.

The residents, led by Mzee Domnic Apiyo, Barnabas Warida, Jacob Owuor, Abich Bwana, Odhiambo Odembo, Juma Agunyo, and Peter Ogai Agunyo, say they continue to walk long distances to fetch water from unsafe rivers and streams. They report that this has contributed to frequent cases of waterborne diseases such as amoeba and dysentery.

They are now urging the water agency, together with area MP Walter Owino, to either construct a borehole or extend piped water to the village.

The community says it is ready to offer land for the project and cooperate fully with authorities to ensure its success.

Residents also pointed to a previously initiated water project near the gold mining areas around the pom stream in front of Kawaridah, which they say was abandoned many years ago.

They are now asking that it be revisited and completed to serve the wider population.

“We are suffering from a problem that can be solved if acted on. We need clean and safe water,” one resident said, adding that the issue should be treated with urgency given its impact on public health.

They further appealed to CEO of the LVSWWDA Ms Jackline Kemunto and board chair Dan Omino, as well as MP Owino, to take decisive action.

"Let the MP come here and see for himself," charged Kokuro Ongiro. He asserted: We don't have proper water projects and roads. We also need proper lighting. These are the things we can enjoy in the broad based government without which, we will rethink our standing and support," he claimed.

On infrastructure, residents also raised concerns over poor road conditions, especially Kokuro–Dede and Dede–Rongo roads, which they said have become nearly impassable during heavy rains.

Motorists, boda boda operators, and sugarcane transporters hauling cane to Sony Sugar Company have been heavily affected.

Farmers, Mzee Apiyo explained, lose a lot of tons due to cane spillage while on transit to the factories. This was worrying about echoing concerns to repair the damaged roads traversing the sugar belt and local markets and schools and homes.

In addition, gold miners in areas such as Saria, Kodembo, Kagunyo, Kasimba, Kobunge, and Kagondi are calling for improved security measures, including installation of street lighting to enhance safety in the mining zones.