For a long time, Masabit County in Kenya has been plagued by drought, making it difficult for residents to access water and resulting in high water prices. The POWERCHINA team overcame the complicated mountainous terrain and built an integrated water supply system across 27 ridges. After the project was handed over and put into operation, the water cost was significantly reduced and the local people's livelihood was improved, becoming a model of China Africa cooperation under the the Belt and Road Initiative.

Construction in mountainous areas

The Massabit water supply project, constructed by POWERCHINA, will be put into operation in 2023 and handed over to Kenya in August 2025. The project is supported by the Bakuli No. 4 Dam, with a storage capacity increased to 250000 cubic meters. The pipeline needs to cross 27 mountain ridges, with some slopes approaching 60 degrees, making it difficult for construction machinery to enter. Construction personnel rely on donkeys and people to transport building materials, and complete the construction of water storage, transmission, and purification facilities along the entire line. The water storage capacity can meet the local water demand for about six months. Keywords: Massabit Water Supply Project, China Africa Livelihood Cooperation

Livelihood benefits highlighted

The water supply project has completely changed local life, reducing the price of 20 liters of clean water from 50 shillings to 5 shillings and lowering water prices by 90%. The time for residents to fetch water has been reduced from a full day to just over ten minutes, resulting in a significant decrease in neighborhood conflicts caused by water scarcity. Stable water supply ensures the normal operation of schools and hospitals, and promotes new forms of water delivery to drive employment. As a small but American cooperation project between China and Africa, the project continues to release social benefits and contribute to the steady development of the economy in the arid northern regions.Editor/Min Jing