Kisii Woman Rep Dorice Donya Launches 12th Borehole to Curb GBV and Ease Water Burden

By Elizabeth Angira

Kisii County Woman Representative Dorice Donya has launched the 12th borehole in the County, a transformative initiative aimed at reducing the burden on women and girls who walk long distances in search of water often exposing them to risks of gender-based violence.

Speaking during the launch at Iterio Primary School, Donya emphasized that access to clean and reliable water is not just a basic need, but also a critical intervention in protecting the dignity and safety of women and girls.

“For a long time, our women and girls have had to trek long distances in search of water. This exposes them to dangers, including sexual violence. These boreholes are meant to change that,” she said.

Donya noted that while rainfall is often sufficient in the region, the lack of proper water storage systems has left many households struggling to access water consistently.

“It is not about whether it rains or not. The challenge is storage. When it rains, the water goes to waste because there are no systems to preserve it. Women are then forced to walk long distances to find water later,” she explained.

The boreholes, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Water and supported through government initiatives, are designed with storage and reticulation systems to ensure a steady and reliable supply of water. These systems are powered to run consistently, allowing communities to access water at any time.

“My boreholes must have storage and must run throughout so that people can access water easily,” Donya added.

The newly launched borehole in Iterio is expected to serve multiple institutions, including Iterio Boarding and Iterio High School, as well as the surrounding community.

“This water will reach the grassroots. It will support our schools and nearby homes. It will make a real difference in people’s lives,” she said.

Local leaders have welcomed the initiative, terming it a timely intervention that will ease the burden on women and girls.

John Ombati MCA Bomorenda  applauded the Woman Representative for what he described as a commendable initiative, noting that it will significantly reduce the time women spend walking long distances in search of water.

“This is a good initiative. Women and girls spend most of their time looking for water. With these boreholes, the number of hours they spend traveling will reduce greatly,” he said.

Ombati further urged leaders and stakeholders to ensure that the water reaches all parts of the county so that more communities can benefit.

“We are calling on the leaders to ensure this project is expanded so that every area can access clean and safe water,” he added.

Despite operating with limited resources, Donya revealed that she has successfully overseen the drilling of 12 boreholes across the county, with the ambition of expanding the project to every ward.

“With a small budget, we have managed to drill 12 boreholes. If it were up to me, every ward in Kisii County would have a borehole, especially as a way to address cases of rape linked to long-distance water searches,” she said.

She also highlighted the role of water access in improving health and sanitation, particularly for school-going children.

“Our children should not suffer from diseases like cholera simply because there is no water. With these boreholes, they can access clean water, maintain hygiene, and stay healthy,” she noted.

Beyond health, Donya stressed the importance of dignity, especially for young girls.

“When girls have access to water, they can bathe, stay clean, and feel confident both at home and in school. This is about restoring dignity and giving them a safe environment to grow,” she said.

The initiative has been widely welcomed by the community, with residents expressing hope that increased access to water will not only improve livelihoods but also significantly reduce cases of gender-based violence.

As Kisii County continues to expand its water infrastructure, projects like these are proving that access to water is more than a necessity it is a powerful tool for protection, empowerment, and social change.