Emusunguri-Shiraha Community Water Project Report
PROJECT EXPOSITION
In the interest of addressing the plight of our people from an informed point of view, KEYNET is continually involved in research, education and training for development of individuals and the community at large. This has seen KEYNET venture into the survey of the potential of Kenyan Communities for development.
On November 23 to December 23, 2009; Kenya Economic Youth Network (KEYNET) dispatched a team of three, (Elphas, Maurice and Beryl) to carry out a survey of the potential of West Kenya Region for development to inform the proposed development projects for purposes of proper strategy for implementation.
The survey was intended to cover the greater West Kenya region including parts of Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western Provinces of Kenya. Due to financial constrains, the team only managed to cover the rest of the places except Nandi District in the rift Valley Region. Precisely, surveyors visited Matayo’s, Busia, Matungu, Mumias, Butere, Khwisero, Kakamega, Ikolomani, Emuhaya, Vihiga, Malava, Rarieda, Kisumu town and Gem division.
Among the identified setbacks to development was lack of water and contaminated water sources and water-born diseases such as typhoid and dysentery among others. A report was compiled and shared with various stakeholders for development in and outside Kenya. One of the recipients of the very report was FUNDS FOR HOPE FOUNDATION, which happens to be KEYNET’s longtime partner in community Development.
It was in the light of the foregoing that FUNDS FOR HOPE FOUNDATION contacted HOLLAND WATER GOES AFRICA to consider Kenya in their Borehole projects. Consequently, Butere District received the first borehole by Percussion Drilling courtesy of HOLLAND WATER GOES AFRICA, at WINGS OF LIFE GOSPEL CHURCH-EMUSUNGURI, as the first of its kind in Kenya.
BOREHOLE DRILLING
The site for the water facility was well identified at a central Church compound (WINGS OF LIFE GOSPEL CHURCH-EMUSUNGURI) for easy access by the whole community.
Borehole drilling, which was estimated to take six (6) weeks only lasted four (4) weeks; starting on Friday August 20, to Monday September 20, 2010. Mr. Floris De Vos worked with seven (7) young men, four hours a day precluding weekends.
The drilling was done alongside general training in sharing of duties and management of the tasks to ensure continuity and sustainability of borehole drilling services even after Mr. Floris went back to Holland.
At the end of the drilling, the community was left with the drilling equipment and seven knowledgeable young men to continue the services.
OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE PROJECT
After four weeks of work, the borehole project was officially opened on Wednesday 22, September, 2010 in a ceremony graced by the District Officer – Lunza Division. The two hour occasion attracted scores of residents of Emusunguri, Shiraha and their environs, among them community elders, church leaders, Women, Youth and even Children.
The cocktail kind of ceremony was attended by the following guests:
- the District Officer, Lunza Division
- Chief, Shiraha Location
- assistant Chiefs, Lukoye and Emusunguri Sub-Locations
- the District Public Health officer, Butere District
- Councilor,
- the Director, Balm of Hope, Butere
- field officer, Family Support Institutute, Mumias
- Manager, Community Capacity Building Organization, Mumias
- Coordinator, Lieta Youth Organization, Nyanza
- Butere Pastors Hospitality Group
- Bishops, Faith Pentecostal Church and Abashishebu Welfare Association
- Vicar, Shiraha ACK Parish
Civic Educators Capacity Building
Noble effort of KEYNET was met by rare support from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), which facilitated a three day residential workshop for 50 persons drawn from all the 24 constituencies across Western Province of Kenya; participants being fronted by Bunge la Mwananchi (BLM) Western Province networks, Watunimali Development Trust and KEYNET. The workshop took place at Friends Hotel – Kakamega on Thursday *****.
This was well complemented by CRECO and URAIA, who sent over 900 and 3,000 copies of the PCK respectively; and other publications such as the simplified version of the PCK, for distribution through Western Province grassroots.
It was all crowned by the last minute opportunity of one day consensus building community forum for 400 persons courtesy of Transparency International (TI) – Kenya; being held at Busia Community Cultural Center and Shimanyiro Friends Church for Busia and Kakamega networks, on July 26 and 27 in Busia and Kakamega respectively. Each venue was to host 200 participants. This also came with 500 copies of the PCK for distribution.
Participants were community leaders drawn from different grassroots areas of influence including BLM Conveners, Councilors, Pastors, Community Elders, Political Party delegates, Maendeleo ya Wananwake, Soccer Teams, People Living with HIV and AIDS, Persons with disabilities, Youth groups, Women groups, local theatre teams and local models. One forum was graced by the Committee of Experts (CoE) from Nambale Constituency, Mr. Makokha.
IDP surport Programe
After the 2007 post violence elections that saw many Kenyans internaly displaced, Keynet undertook the inititive to support the the internaly displaced persons by providing spiritual and material support to their cabability. this sw keynet personel visit the IDPs in several camps where they donated food and and beddings
Elphas Were of Keynet in an IDP camp with some of the internaly displaced persons
Mr. Were of Keynet Donating food stuff to internally displaced persons.
HIV/AIDs Awareness
Everyone in the neiboughhood is affected directly or indirectly by HIV/AIDs. 
Keynet has been on the forefront on the fight against HIV/AIDS by orgarnising several HIV/AIDs awarenes rallies that have seen many youths get tested and learn more about the scrouge.
