Today, Kenya Resilient Arid Lands Partnership for Integrated Development (Kenya RAPID) launched Bula Mpya Water System that will serve 1,500 people in Isiolo. This program is supported by the United States government through USAID, in partnership with the Millennium Water Alliance, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Coca-Cola Foundation’s Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN), and County Government of Isiolo. The Bula Mpya Water System is part of the U.S. global water strategy which envisions a water-secure world, one in which people and nations have the water they need to be healthy, prosperous, and resilient. USAID Deputy Administrator Bonnie Glick presented remarks at the launch.

“Every new well and water system that comes on line is a cause for celebration, because of the possibilities it opens for future development.  Without clean water, there's only so much you can do.  But with clean water, there’s not much you can’t,” said USAID Deputy Administrator Bonnie Glick

The Bula Mpya Water System is part of USAID’s Partnership for Resilience and Economic Growth (PREG) work in northern Kenya. USAID is investing over $360 million in a variety of projects that will increase the resilience of pastoral communities. The water system will reduce the daily burden of water collection for women and children and incidences of water-related illness. In addition to the water system, a water kiosk in Mwangaza will provide a consistent source of water for the community. This innovative method of water delivery uses a prepaid meter and a vouchering system that ensures equitable availability of water and creates a sustainable small business for the community. It also allows customers to prepay for water when they have income and creates a mechanism for subsidizing access to water for the most vulnerable.

USAID’s program Kenya RAPID has supported more than 184,000 people have access to improved access to safe and clean water.  The United States Government supports a water secure world where people have sustainable supplies of quality water to meet human, economic, and ecosystem needs.