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Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation has unveiled the National Water and Sanitation Plan (NAWASIP) requiring an estimated Sh995 billion to be actualised.

While acknowledging the need for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to bridge funding gaps, Cabinet Secretary Eric Muriithi emphasised the integration of priorities from both County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs) and the National Government.

Speaking during the launch of the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency Strategic Plan 2023–2027 in Kisumu, Muriithi lauded development partners such as the World Bank and African Development Bank for their support.

These collaborations have facilitated major ongoing projects, including the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation Initiative (KSh7.8 billion), Kendu Bay Water Supply (KSh600 million), and the Oyugis and Kendu Bay last-mile connectivity initiative.

Other significant projects include the Mzima II pipeline and Londiani Dam, targeting water supply to underserved areas. Despite these advancements, Muriithi noted that Non-Revenue Water (NRW)—currently averaging 43 per cent nationally—remains a pressing challenge.

Some counties experience NRW rates as high as 60 per cent, far above the acceptable benchmark of 25 per cent.  To address this, the Ministry’s Strategic Plan prioritises reducing NRW to below 35 per cent, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring the sustainability of water resources.

The ministry’s 2019–2022 Strategic Plan mobilised KSh36 billion to enhance water and sanitation infrastructure. While water coverage increased from 53 per cent to 70 per cent, and sanitation from 17 per cent to 37 per cent, these figures fell short of initial targets.  Nevertheless, the projects provided water access to over 845,000 people through the drilling of boreholes and the implementation of Universal Health Coverage programs.

Significant achievements include large-scale infrastructure projects in counties like Kericho, Kisii, and Nyamira, contributing to improved living standards.  The ministry also completed the Northern Collector Tunnel, a critical project expected to be commissioned soon.