This archive report was first published on 30 October 2019.
On October 30, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that the government has allocated Sh80 billion to rehabilitate and expand sewerage infrastructures in the country.
According to the President, the funds will be used to increase access to sewerage services, which currently stands at 25%, to about 40%.
President Kenyatta also directed the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation to follow inducements intended for increasing use of recycled water to expand irrigation.
During the official opening of the Water and Sanitation Conference at KICC, Deputy President William Ruto read out the President's speech, in which he emphasized the need to reduce water wastage in the country.
“Industries are required to include pre-treatment facilities in their premises to ensure acceptable standard of waste water is discharged into the sewerage system and to the environment and the rivers,” said President Kenyatta.
He also advised the Water Services Providers through the Council of Governors to curb spillage of raw sewerage into water ways.
President Kenyatta noted that major pollution emanates from improper disposal of solid waste, especially in the cities and towns.
“The provision of quality and sustainable water and sanitation plays a focal role in ensuring a healthy nation; if sustained, it breaks the disease-poverty cycle, contributing significantly to poverty alleviation and wealth creation agenda. Dumping of domestic and other solid waste on the river banks is not a solution and must be discouraged,” said President Kenyatta.
He also directed the Ministry of Education to introduce a compulsory curriculum on water and sanitation in all schools.
Currently, the access to clean safe water stands at 62 percent, while the average national sewerage coverage lurches at 25 percent.
Deputy President Ruto stated that the government is investing over Sh80 billion for rehabilitation and expansion of sewerage infrastructure in the country.
The Head of State noted that the country requires an annual budgetary allocation of Sh 100 billion for the maintenance and rehabilitation of Water and Sanitation infrastructure.
Other leaders present at the conference included Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui, East African Community and Regional Development counterpart Adan Mohammed, Senate and National Assembly chairpersons of Committees on Lands, Environment and Natural Resources Paul Githiomo and Kareke Mbiuki, and Principal Secretary Joseph Irungu.
