The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on Monday, March 13, announced the launch of more than Ksh12.9 billion investment to enhance water, sanitation and hygiene activities in Kenya.
In a statement by the US Embassy in Kenya, the project seeks to increase access to basic or improved water services for 1.6 million people and also provide basic sanitation to 1 million people.
This, according to the US government, would require roughly Ksh16.8 billion to be injected into the sector.
An additional Ksh77 billion would be required annually to address the global water crisis and attain universal coverage by 2030.
High ranking officials graced the event, including U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman, Water Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, Head Public health, ministry of health, Susan Koki Mutua and Nyandarua Governor Badilisha Kiarie.
Whitman noted that US's timely intervention was aimed at curbing the water crisis in the country and improve the lives of over 1 million Kenyans.
“I’ve seen firsthand the impact that water security and access to sanitation have on people’s lives. The issue of water security will remain a challenge in Kenya and around the world for the foreseeable future. By working together, we will find solutions," she stated.
She noted that providing sustainable water to households proved to be a major challenge owing to the growth of informal settlements and those residing in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) areas.
In addition, the variability in rainfall patterns over the past years further exacerbated the challenge and led to frequent droughts.
"The high variability in rainfall across the country over the past three years has led to frequent and prolonged droughts and floods in some areas, aggravating the challenges of water scarcity."
"Climate change is predicted to worsen this situation," the statement read in part.
The news came as the US provided more than Ksh16 billion in food assistance to curb the unrelenting drought in North Rift region.
