TWEED played host to the Kenyan High Commissioner, His Excellency Stephen Tarus, at the launch of Tweed Kenya Mentoring Project's fourth program yesterday.

The project was established to provide accessible and hygienic drinking water for poor rural communities in western Kenya, supported by Tweed Shire Council staff and the local community.

Mr Tarus used the launch to thank Tweed Shire Council staff, the International Riverfoundation and the project's sponsors for their contribution.

“You have made a big difference to the lives of many,” Mr Tarus said.

The launch also celebrated International Riverfoundation Scholarship recipient Olita Ongonjo in the completion of his Masters in Integrated Water Management.

Mr Ongonjo, a co-ordinator of the project, has been in Australia for 18 months but plans to head back to Kenya to use his new knowledge to benefit his people.

“The issue of water security in Kenya is becoming even more crucial as rains are becoming less reliable, as seen with the drought severely affecting so many African nations at present,” Mr Ongonjo said.

The council's senior construction engineer, Nigel Dobson, will travel to Kenya early next year to begin the newest phase of the project.

“Our aim is to work with the community to restore and increase the capacity of the dam so it is a permanent source of water,” he said.