By Mary Mwendwa
Nairobi, Kenya: The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), today launched the U.S. Government Global Water Strategy High Priority Country Plan for Kenya.
The Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) high-priority plan provides for 100 Million USD investment programs to be implemented in Kenya over the next five years (2022-2027).
Speaking during the launch in Nairobi, United States Ambassador to Kenya Margaret “Meg” Whitman noted how Kenya is experiencing the worst drought on record, with no sign of significant rains coming anytime soon. “When I ask government officials or community members about their priorities, everyone says, water.” She said.
She further talked about how linkages between water security and a changing climate are crystal clear – from historic flooding in Pakistan, leaving a third of the country under water, to the megadrought crippling the Horn of Africa.
“As we’ve observed here in Kenya, the Horn of Africa, and countries spanning almost every continent, water scarcity often serves as a cause or accelerator of conflict. Access to water can serve as a weapon of war as we’ve seen in Ukraine, where water infrastructure has been destroyed, leaving innocent civilians without essential services.” Whitman observed.
“More than 20 million Kenyans lack access to safe drinking water, disproportionately affecting poor and rural populations. We estimate an additional $600 million is needed each year to reach universal coverage by 2030.”
She also emphasized how water and insecurity and a lack of sanitation and hygiene products continue to risk development gains in health, economic growth, and political stability while at the same time perpetuating gender and economic inequalities.
Whitman lauded the release of the White House Action Plan and the Global Water Strategy by the United States as demonstrating its strong commitment to driving progress on global water security.
Susan Mutua, head of the department Public health department of Kenya’s Ministry of Health who represented Cabinet Secretary(cs) for Health Nakhumicha Wafula started by saying they were delighted to witness the launch of the Country plan.
She said that access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and proper hygiene education can reduce illness and deaths from diseases. This results in improved health, poverty reduction, and socio-economic development.
Mutua who read the CS speech noted with concern how only 28 percent of 32 percent of urban Kenyans have access to improved sanitation.
“ About 6 million Kenyans have no access to any form of sanitation facilities and practice total open deflation while 24 million use un-improved sanitation facilities or share latrines.”Adding that Kenya loesses 27 billion KSH every year noting that 27 billion KSH can do wonders in the nation.
She further noted the benefit of improved sanitation which extends well beyond reducing the risk of diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A.
She concluded by recommending the need to focus more on the most disadvantaged communities within target areas including informal settlements, schools, and healthcare facilities.
“ There is a need to implement WASH services holistically, so as to achieve the desired objectives.”
Governor of Nyandarua County, Moses Kiarie who represented the Council of governors said that the water sector was a significant area in Counties. He noted how Counties had established water acts and water plans for the smooth running of the sector.
“ Nyandarua County hosts the water towers, Aberdare, and is also one of the largest water suppliers in the Country, therefore we take water-related issues very seriously.”
Kiarie said WASH priorities ranged from research, water treatment plants, and remote sensing among others.
The Kenya constitution 2010 has provided a wide set of implications for the water sector. It acknowledges access to clean and safe water as a basic human right and gives the responsibility for water sanitation and service provision to the 47 Counties.
Similarly, the water Act of 2016 aligns the water sector with the constitutional objective of devolution. This Act recognizes that water-related functions are shared between the national government and County governments.
Globally, the Water Convention, UNECE Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses, and International promote cooperation on the transboundary surface and ground waters and strengthen their protection and sustainable management.
