Ministry Engages Private Investors To Realize 100 Dams Initiative

The Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation has taken a significant step towards addressing the water scarcity challenge in the country through a strategic partnership with the private sector.

By embracing Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives, the Ministry aims to bridge the water gap and provide sustainable and reliable water services to all Kenyan citizens.

The initiative dubbed the 100 Dam Initiative aims to address the perennial water scarcity in the country.

Speaking at the event, attended by investors, Water, Sanitation & Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Hon. Alice Wahome said, water scarcity has been a pressing issue in Kenya, particularly in peri-urban, rural, and marginalized areas. “The Ministry of Water and Sanitation recognizes the urgency of this challenge and understands that collaboration with the private sector is crucial to effectively tackle it. Through PPPs, the Ministry can leverage the expertise, resources, and innovation of private entities to enhance water infrastructure and service delivery,” said Hon. Wahome.

The partnership between the Ministry of Water, Sanitation & Irrigation, and private sector stakeholders aims to achieve several objectives. “Firstly, it focuses on expanding water infrastructure, including the construction and rehabilitation of dams, pipelines, and water treatment facilities. These initiatives will increase the availability and accessibility of clean water to communities across the country,” she added.

Additionally, the PPPs will foster the adoption of innovative technologies and sustainable practices in water management. This includes the implementation of efficient irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting projects, and water conservation initiatives. By integrating technology and sustainable approaches, the Ministry aims to optimize water usage, reduce wastage, and ensure long-term water security for the nation.

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This 100 Dams Initiative will be funded by private investors and its estimated cost is KES 1.7 trillion. The 100 PPP Dams Initiative seeks private sector capital and technology through a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain, and Transfer model. The dams are spread across the country. The program intends to provide clean drinking to an additional 6 million households, bring one million acres under irrigation, and generate 554 MW hydropower.

The Principal Secretary of the State Department for Water and Sanitation, Dr. Kiprono Ronoh P. assured the private sector of the Government’s commitment to working with them to address water scarcity challenges. “The Ministry is keen to work with different expertise and technology providers to co-create PPP models best suited for different circumstances – both large and small rural, including operation and management contracts to address the challenges of Non-Revenue Water,” He said.

The Cabinet Secretary noted that owing to the degraded state of the water catchment areas, soil carried from farmlands is carried away and accumulated at the bottom of the dams. This she noted, had resulted in poor water quality, and consequently high cost of water treatment and furthermore short service life of water storage facilities. To curb this problem, CS revealed that the ministry together with the investors and partners will plant 250 million trees in the areas dam drainage areas, and soil erosion barriers to restore areas along the rivers.

The Ministry of Water also recognizes the importance of community engagement and capacity building in achieving sustainable water solutions. Through the PPPs, emphasis will be placed on community participation, education, and training programs. These initiatives will empower local communities to take ownership of their water resources, promote responsible water usage, and enable the sustainable management of water systems.

Hon. Wahome, further added that “the PPPs will prioritize the provision of affordable and equitable water services to underserved areas. By adopting innovative financing models and optimizing operational efficiency, the Ministry aims to ensure that water services are accessible and affordable to all Kenyan citizens, irrespective of their socio-economic backgrounds. The Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation is committed to transparent and accountable governance throughout these PPP initiatives. It will work closely with private sector partners, regulatory bodies, and relevant stakeholders to ensure that projects are implemented efficiently, and the interests of the public are safeguarded.”

She said, “By leveraging private sector expertise, resources, and innovation, the Ministry aims to bridge the water gap, improve water infrastructure, promote sustainable practices, and ensure equitable access to water for all Kenyan citizens.”

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