Sidian Bank has donated 50 water storage tanks to the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency (LVSWWDA), as part of the wider partnership aimed at improving access to clean and safe water in communities across the agency’s area of operation.
The donation, unveiled in Kisumu, is part of a framework agreement between the bank and the water agency under which Sidian Bank is expected to support water-harvesting initiatives, including the provision of a total of 200 tanks.
LVSWWDA Chief Executive Officer Jackline Kemunto said the first batch of tanks would benefit schools, health facilities, markets and small businesses, including young people operating car-wash enterprises.
“We have received 50 tanks donated by Sidian Bank. This is part of a larger framework agreement for our water-harvesting programme,” Kemunto said.
Additionally, the agency was looking forward to receiving the remaining tanks. The partnership will cover the agency’s eight counties, with the two institutions planning to roll out the programme in phases.
The approach is intended to ensure that communities directly benefit from the initiative while allowing the partners to engage with residents on the ground.
Speaking during the handover, Sidian Bank Head of Branches Loice Mwangi said the initiative was driven primarily by the bank’s social-impact agenda rather than commercial considerations.
“We have donated 50 water tanks, which will be serving the communities. They will go to schools, public health centres and the business community,” Mwangi said.
She said the partnership would also explore other areas, including support for contractors involved in water projects and assistance to schools and health facilities in developing water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure.
The bank operates a network of 50 branches across 27 counties, according to Mwangi, and intends to use both its physical branches and digital platforms to reach communities in counties where it does not have a branch presence.
LSWWDA chairman Omino said the tanks would be strategically distributed to areas where water access remains a challenge.
“We are going to take advantage of the opportunity to install these tanks at the markets,” Omino said.
He explained that the programme would also target schools and health centres to bring water closer to communities.
Omino further linked the initiative to the government’s NYOTA programme, saying some tanks could support young people engaged in businesses such as car washing by providing them with affordable access to water.
The agency said the partnership reflects its efforts to deepen collaboration with the private sector through public-private partnerships.
It also plans to work with other partners to expand access to water and support community development.Environmental conservation will also form part of the projects.
The agency said its environmental department engages communities before projects are implemented, assessing possible environmental effects and creating awareness on mitigation measures.
Sidian Bank said the water-harvesting partnership would be expanded through successive milestones, with the ultimate goal of reaching communities across all eight counties served by the agency.
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