Ilkisonko Boys Secondary School Has Always Had a Water Problem, Until Now

Last week, the Water is Life Kenya (WILK) team completed drilling our newest borehole in Loitokitok, Kajiado County, for the Ilkisonko Boys Secondary School. A unique feature of this school is its location—Ilkisonko is in the highlands. Any student who attended the school in the past several decades can affirm one thing: Ilkisonko has a water problem.

Here’s what we’re doing about it.

Why Ilkisonko?

Currently 1,200 students attend the school, and in January the student population is expected to increase by 300. Like many secondary schools in Kenya, Ilkisonko’s students are boys from across the region, some from 100 km away. For this reason, about 75% of students board at the school. The 800+ students put a tremendous burden on the previous pipe system, which is also supposed to serve the surrounding community.

Ilkisonko is one of the two main high boys’ schools in Loitokitok. Ilkisonko is the name of a Maasai subtribe, so even though it’s funded by the Kenyan government, it’s central to the Maasai community. A large number of the male Maasai population in Kajiado South has attended and graduated from Ilkisonko. The school’s reputation also has been gaining prominence. New teachers are dedicated to providing a solid education for the school’s students. It’s important to us that Ilkisonko, an integral part of the community, has access to a sufficient, reliable, clean water supply for years to come.

Water Usage at Ilkisonko

Water is necessary in all facets of life at Ilkisonko. Its most important purpose is for human consumption, as every kind of traditional food served to the boys for their meals uses water in its preparation. For instance, ugali requires a significant amount of water—up to half a jug for a two-person serving—as part of the recipe. Water cleans vegetables as well as utensils. It’s used for drinking, to brew tea, which is served at tea time. Beyond the kitchens, water is used for washing uniforms, cleaning the school, and, of course, bathing.

Currently, water is being rationed to students, most of whom can bathe only once a week because the system is so depleted of water. On top of water rations, the current pipe system isn’t working because it’s not properly managed. This means water must be purchased from surrounding areas, putting pressure on parents to pay for what should already be available. Consistent access to clean water, a basic human right, is not the reality the boys at Ilkisonko have ever faced.

Solving the Water Problem with our Deepest Borehole Ever

This borehole project will play a crucial role in providing water to the school. If the capacity of the borehole allows, water will also be sold to the surrounding community. This will, in turn, increase income for the school, allowing Ilkisonko to continue providing quality education for years to come. A borehole not only brings water—it can often bring an entire economy.

At 300 meters, this highland borehole is the deepest we’ve ever dug. We’re still waiting for the results to determine the capacity of the borehole, but our hope is that it’s enough to cover, at the minimum, the amount of water needed by Ilkisonko so that it no longer needs to place the onus on the students’ parents.

Our commitment to providing clean water to the students at Ilkisonko is evident because we’ve taken direct action to address the problems faced by the water shortage. Within three days, Joyce and our team were able to complete the drillings. Next steps are test pumping to determine yield and water quality and then the equipping and construction can begin. We plan to continue such projects to further our mission of providing water for the purpose of improvement and empowerment.