Kenya

Kenya is a populous country in East Africa that is known for its scenic landscapes and extensive wildlife preserves. It encompasses savannahs, lakes, the Great Rift Valley, and mountain highlands. Despite its biodiversity, 80% of Kenya’s land is arid or semi-arid. Kenya is the third-largest Sub-Saharan economy. Nairobi, the country’s capital, is considered a regional hub for many organizations and businesses and for transportation to other locations across Africa and the world.

Water Mission's Impact in Kenya to Date

More Than

Given first-time access to safe water.

More Than

Being served with safe water through ongoing operation and maintenance.

More Than

Served with hygiene solutions.

The Need for Safe Water in Kenya

International Poverty Rate

36% of the population lives on less than $2.15 per day.

Safe Water

37% of the population lacks access to safe water.

Sanitation

63% of the population lacks access to sanitation.

Though Kenya has experienced economic progress—especially in urban areas—more than one-third of the population lives below the poverty line. Lack of access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions is widespread. In rural areas, nearly half the population lacks access to basic drinking water (versus 37% nationally). The majority of Kenyans (62%) also lack access to basic sanitation and hygiene services, posing major risks to health.

Water Mission in Kenya

Water Mission has been actively working in Kenya since 2007, serving nearly 450,000 people.

Our work is primarily focused on the western and northern regions of the country, serving last-mile communities and refugee settlements. Water Mission's community-centered approach combines training, capacity-building, and infrastructure installation, operation, and maintenance. In Kenya, we’re piloting innovations like battery-powered systems, groundwater monitoring, and remote system monitoring. We address community needs by partnering with local churches. Future priorities include water system upgrades, extensions, expanded operations, and household connections with prepaid meters.

Our Solutions

Equip, empower, and support local churches to effectively:

Share the gospel of Jesus Christ;
Make life-long disciples; and
Meet their community's specific physical and spiritual needs.

Respond to natural and humanitarian disasters in various ways, including:

Emergency water treatment systems for communities, households, and institutions like schools and healthcare facilities;
Handwashing stations in healthcare facilities and other high-traffic areas.

Install WASH solutions in refugee settlements and host communities, partnering with refugees and host community members to educate others on healthy WASH practices, including community-led total sanitation.

Design and build customized solutions using best-in-class technology and water treatment methods. Each community-based water project in Kenya is characterized by:

Community partnership for sustainability and follow-up;
Long-term support for previously installed projects;
Unique technical solutions for challenging contexts;
Continuous improvement and innovation in sustainable delivery models; and
Prioritizing piped connections to institutions and households.
Build community leaders’ WASH awareness, train WASH promoters, and engage communities with sustainable and affordable sanitation and hygiene solutions they can support.

Water Mission’s Strategy in Kenya

Communities in Kenya have improved spiritual, physical, social, emotional, and material well-being, are equipped to services long-term, and have an opportunity to experience God's love.

Western and Northern Kenya, including Turkana County and Makueni County.

Community Managed Plus and Rural Water Cooperative.

Professionalized Services

Rural communities, camps for refugees, host communities, schools, and clinics.