April 11 - Nyamasaria – April 11 - Nyamasaria – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director for Kenya, Karen Freeman, joined the Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company (KIWASCO) to commission a water distribution system that serves 16,000 people and seven schools in the Nyamasaria area of Kisumu.

Through its Sustainable Water and Sanitation for Africa activity, USAID helped KIWASCO develop a feasibility plan and financing proposal to K-Rep Bank, which resulted in a loan of Ksh 20.1 million to KIWASCO to construct small pipe infrastructure to the low-income settlement of Nyamasaria.  The SUWASA activity helped the local utility company access financing using the agency’s Development Credit Authority (DCA).

“This project introduces innovative payment terms that make water connections affordable for everyone, especially low-income earners.  At the same time, the payment terms provide the utility with the capital required to extend their service network to informal urban settlements,” said Freeman.

USAID/Kenya is focused on improving access to safe water, improved sanitation services, hygiene promotion; and increasing community capacity to manage and better use water resources.

USAID is the U.S. Government agency responsible for administering civilian foreign aid.