This archive report was first published on 20 December 2019.
On December 20, 2019, the Water Sector Trust Fund, a State corporation, was launched to help address the water crisis in Kenya. The fund aims to finance water resources management projects and enable the water sector to achieve its objectives.
According to Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui, the fund will provide innovative and sustainable financing approaches to ensure vibrant and efficient business models in the sector.
However, the launch highlighted the challenges facing the water sector, including low levels of access to water and sanitation in urban slums and rural areas. Nairobi, for instance, suffers from an acute water shortage despite heavy rainfall.
The Nairobi County Government often blames the shortage on low water levels at the Ndakaini Dam, which supplies 84% of the city's water. Despite the dam being overflowing, there is still no water in Nairobi.
Stakeholders argued that the tussle between the ministry and county governments regarding the implementation of water projects was a major stumbling block that had stalled many projects.
Water Fund CEO Ismail Shaiye attributed frequent water shortages in the country to poor use and lack of recycling measures, both by authorities and households.
Chairman of Water Fund Patrick Kokonya emphasized the fund's role in cutting down water shortages by acting as an intermediary water provider in cases where bigger projects are yet to be executed, especially on water catchment areas.
