Residents of Naivasha have a reason to smile after KenGen PLC through its philanthropy arm, the KenGen Foundation today donated 300 (1,000 litre capacity) water tanks to several public institutions in Naivasha sub- county as part of its Corporate Social Investment (CSI) program on 10th February.
The initiative which is part of KenGen PLC’s commitment to address water and sanitation challenges faced by communities, especially those neighboring its power installations has so far benefitted more than 10,000 families in marginalized areas.
The tanks are expected to reduce the infection rates of waterborne and person-to-person transmission of diseases related to poor hygiene within Naivasha Sub-county; a problem that is faced by an estimated 41% of Kenya’s population.
KenGen Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, who is also the Chair of KenGen Foundation’s Board of Trustees, Rebecca Miano said, “Access to clean water is one of the most effective ways of curbing the spread and lowering the rates of waterborne and other related diseases. That is why KenGen has invested in the construction, installation and supply of water systems and water points among communities around our installations.”
Speaking during the distribution exercise, KenGen Foundation Managing Trustee, Anthony Igecha said the company has designed a Clean Water Accessibility
Program to help equip communities living around KenGen installations with best practice skills on water harvesting and storage.
Over the years, KenGen has continued to invest heavily in the construction, installation and supply of water systems and water points in Machakos, Embu, Kitui, Kisumu and other host counties across the country.
“We have a robust Corporate Social investment (CSI), strategy, which recognizes that Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects must be inclusive to achieve the basic human right to water and sanitation and reach the most vulnerable, while setting the tone for inclusion in other community- based projects,” said Mr. Igecha.
Through the KenGen Foundation, KenGen implements its social activities through sustainable projects focusing on three core pillars namely Education, Environment, Water and Sanitation. The Foundation complements the Company’s efforts in contributing to the general health and welfare of host communities.
Other related community-beneficial activities implemented by KenGen in partnership with key stakeholders, donors, and County Governments include building of sand dams, construction of water tanks, and provision of piped water.
Follow us on Twitter through @KenGen_Foundatn and like our Facebook page for more updates.
–Ernest Nyamasyo, Communication Officer