Kenya WASH News Highlights Q1-2024

What made it to the news (and my sentiments)

• Eldoret Water Company supported by CPF Financial Services is structuring a Sh700m bond to improve water transmission capacity by 5500 cubic meters per day. It is a first of its kind in Kenya.
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will fund the Africa Urban Sanitation Investment Initiative (AUSII) – a new financing window dedicated to improving sanitation in African urban cities via AFDB—$ 6 million now vs $14.5 million from 2018. Kenya is a candidate beneficiary. Is this declining trend going to continue for CWIS?
• Until 2028, AFDB will only fund transport and, water and sanitation infrastructure projects in Kenya. It was a win for WASH but a loss for the energy sector.
• Water.org encourages water companies to go for commercial finance ranging from $1 – 2millionfor their projects. I am unsure how feasible/successful this would be with the current setup of water companies in Kenya.
• El Ni?o floods worsen humanitarian needs in Kenya - Who to blame, what to do? no one seems to want to know!
• Kenya’s sanitation economy was valued at 1.7 billion dollars in 2022 and is projected to be valued at 2.8 by 2030 according to Sanitation & Hygiene Fund - Sector seems ripe for investment.
• Senators and governors want the Water Bill 2023 overhauled. They are against the privatization of water services
• You will pay 1 million or go to jail or both if caught extracting ground or surface water without a permit, WRA warns.
• Multiple AFDB-funded water and sewerage projects completed - Sustaining is the job.

What didn't make it and should have based on the previous quarter's update

• Update on integrity issues reported in the previous quarter
• Update on debt issues in water companies and water works development agencies
• Updates on stalled dams that were discussed in Italy
• Updates on the previously stalled Ndarugu II dam which residents had protested
• Updates on Senate calls to disband some water agencies that were perceived as hindering devolution and progress in the water sector

My comments

• Poor journalism in and for the water sector, just random reporting, and no historical depth!
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