The people of Kanduti in Kitui county can now access water more efficiently, thanks to a new borehole that has eliminated the need for long, exhausting walks in search of water. Commissioned with an investment of Sh5 million, this 300-foot borehole will benefit over 3,000 local residents. Previously, the community depended on a seasonal river for water.
Strategically placed at a central location, the borehole is designed to serve key community facilities, including a polytechnic, high school, primary school, public health centre, and the residence of the area chief. This development promises to significantly improve the daily lives of the residents.
Part of a Larger Initiative
The borehole project was implemented as part of the betPawa Dream Maker campaign’s second season. Dream Maker is a corporate social responsibility initiative by the betting brand betPawa, aimed at helping individuals realise community-beneficial dreams. The programme invites Kenyans to submit proposals for potential funding, covering a wide range of needs from educational support to business and community projects.
Simon Mwangi, betPawa’s Country Marketing Manager, expressed pride in the project, “It takes a very special person to think about the community. I thank Sammy for making it all about his community with such a transformative dream. We are honoured to actualise this dream for the people of Kanduti.”
Environmental and Social Benefits
Pastor Sammy Mwanza of the Redeemed Gospel Church, who spearheaded the proposal for the borehole, highlighted the long-standing water scarcity issues in Kanduti. To commemorate the borehole’s inauguration, he was gifted 70 seedlings by the community, aiming to promote environmental conservation and hopefully attract rain to the area.
The project also included the construction of a support structure for a 10,000-litre water tank and the installation of solar panels to power the water pump, ensuring sustainability.
Community Ownership Encouraged
Local leaders, including Chuluni ward administrator Alex Kilunda and MCA Mathew Vuthi, stressed the importance of the community embracing and protecting this new resource. Vuthi urged residents to safeguard the borehole’s infrastructure from vandalism and theft, saying, “We must protect the water tank, the solar panels, or even the pipes from theft.”
Residents have welcomed the project warmly. Frida Charles, a local resident, recounted how her family had to relocate previously due to the lack of water. The new borehole means families like hers can live closer to their ancestral homes without the burden of water scarcity.
This initiative not only represents a significant stride towards better living conditions in Kanduti but also sets a positive precedent for corporate involvement in community development across Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania, where the Dream Maker CSR initiative operates.
