Governor Prof Hillary Barchok has today handed over appointment letters to the newly inaugurated BOMWASCO Board of Management. The board is mandated to revitalize water supply in Bomet County.

The board forms part of the legal requirements by the Water Service Regulatory Board (WASREB) to enable the company to execute its mandates.

During the event, Governor Barchok assured the new board of his full support, pledging to facilitate their operations, fund interventions, and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure BOMWASCO successfully meets the county’s growing water needs.

Since its incorporation in 2013, BOMWASCO has expanded from 7 to 14 schemes but faces immense pressure, particularly in Bomet town.

Current demand in Bomet town, escalated by institutions like Bomet University College, is 4500m³ of water, yet the Bomet Water Supply Scheme only produces 1200m³ against a 2500m³ design capacity.

The board must urgently address the 63 per cent Non-Revenue water (NRW) loss from illegal connections, alongside infrastructure damage and high power costs. Their strategy includes restructuring the company and solarizing community schemes.

In an intervention to mitigate the high cost of electricity incurred by the company, the Department of Water, Sanitation, Environment and Climate Change through FLLoCA funding, initiated solarization of Water Schemes among them – Bomet Water Supply, Longisa Water Supply among other community identified spring protection and pipeline extension.