NAIROBI, Kenya – For many Kenyans, turning on the tap is no guarantee that clean water will flow. Millions still face the daily struggle of accessing safe drinking water, particularly in rural areas where infrastructure is unreliable.
But a new initiative by the Global Water Center (GWC), backed by a Sh142.5 million ($1.1 million) grant from the Grundfos Foundation and The Coca-Cola Foundation, is aiming to change that.
The project is set to bridge the skills gap in Kenya’s water sector, ensuring that communities can maintain and expand their water systems.
With a growing population and increasing demand, the country faces a critical shortage of trained water professionals, leaving many systems vulnerable to breakdowns.
Addressing Kenya’s Water Workforce Crisis
A report from the Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS) paints a grim picture—many African nations, including Kenya, operate with less than half the workforce needed to keep water and sanitation infrastructure running.
Without skilled professionals, even the best-built systems deteriorate, leading to frequent shortages and unreliable access.
GWC’s initiative will focus on training water professionals, equipping them with technical skills to manage and repair systems.
The project will also work closely with the Kenyan government to strengthen policies that ensure long-term sustainability.
By partnering with local and international stakeholders, GWC hopes to scale solutions not just in Kenya, but across East Africa, including Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Uganda.
A Promising Start—But More is Needed
While the Sh142.5 million grant will fund the first phase of the initiative, GWC is calling for additional partners to ensure its full rollout.
Without long-term investment, the effort risks becoming just another short-lived solution in a region where water insecurity remains a pressing issue.
Thomas Johnston, CEO of GWC, emphasized that this is a crucial moment for Kenya and the region.
“We invite governments, NGOs, and private sector players to step up and drive real, systemic change,” he said.
