By Alex Maina
For many years, getting water was one of the hardest parts of daily life for families living in Olare Ward in Ainabkoi Subcounty, Uasin Gishu County. Every morning, many women and children would begin a long journey downhill to fetch water from streams. The walk was tiring, and the return journey was even harder because they had to carry heavy containers of water back uphill to their homes.
But today, the story in this community is changing.
The Kimuruk–Chepngor Solar Water Project has brought new hope to the people of this area. The project pumps water using solar-powered machines and stores it in a reservoir. From there, the water is distributed through pipes to homes across the community. More than 300 families are now benefiting from the project, making life easier for many households.
For residents, the impact has been deeply felt in their daily lives.
Mama Kemboi is one of the residents who has seen a big difference since the project started. Standing outside her home, she speaks with relief and gratitude.
“I would love to thank the County Government of Uasin Gishu for this project,” she says. “They have helped us with water. Before, we used to go downstream to fetch water and it was very hard to carry it uphill. Now we cook, clean, and wash at the comfort of our homes.”
For many women in the village, the project has removed a heavy burden they carried for years.
Mama Cherop says the project has also helped families take better care of their animals and farms.
“I would also love to thank the County Government of Uasin Gishu for bringing us this project,” she says. “Now we have water to give our cows and goats. We have water to use on our farms and water to cook. We are very happy because our backs had started having pain from carrying water for many years.”
Farmers in the area say the project has also improved farming activities.
Mr. Kiprop, a local farmer, explains that water was once a big challenge for irrigation. Without enough water, many farmers could not fully use their land.
“This water has helped us a lot in our farms,” he says. “We do irrigation and before we had a challenge with water, but now things are better. All we ask is for the County Government of Uasin Gishu to continue improving this project so that more people can benefit.”
Today, the Kimuruk–Chepngor Solar Water Project is doing more than just providing water. It is saving time, reducing physical strain, improving farming, and giving families a better quality of life.
For the people of Olare Ward, clean water is no longer a daily struggle it is now a source of comfort, dignity, and a better life.
