Kenya is moving forward with a major push to improve water and sanitation services for millions of urban residents, following the launch of the National Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Program (NUWSSP), a national initiative financed by the African Development Bank Group with a total commitment of UA 134.25 million (approximately 184 million US dollars).
The programme targets 24 sub-projects across 21 towns in 16 counties, ranging from coastal Mombasa to arid Marsabit in the north, and including Narok, Homa Bay, Uasin Gishu and Baringo, among others. Selection criteria prioritised areas with significant unmet demand, gaps in last-mile connectivity, and marginalised communities in arid and semi-arid regions. Around 1.4 million people are expected to benefit from improved water supply, while a further 500,000 will gain access to improved sanitation services.
On the infrastructure side, the programme aims to increase water supply capacity by 33,600 cubic metres per day and expand wastewater treatment by 19,300 cubic metres per day, supporting more reliable services in rapidly growing urban centres. Of the total budget, 86 million US dollars is dedicated to climate adaptation measures, reflecting the programme's recognition of Kenya's vulnerability to climate-related water stress.
1.4 million people are expected to benefit from improved water supply, while a further 500,000 will gain access to improved sanitation services
The NUWSSP is framed within Kenya's broader development agenda, aligning with Vision 2030, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, and the Fourth Medium-Term Plan 2023 to 2027. It also sits within the Bank's Country Strategy Paper 2024 to 2028, which prioritises infrastructure development as a driver of private sector growth.
Christopher Mutasa, Lead Investments and Operations Officer at the Bank, underscored its relevance to SDG 6 targets, while Julius Korir, Principal Secretary for the State Department of Water and Sanitation, described the Bank as the water sector's "preferred partner." Water Secretary Samwel Alima highlighted the programme's role in strengthening urban infrastructure and advancing sustainable development across Kenya's growing towns.
The NUWSSP forms part of the Bank Group's total water sector investment in Kenya of just over one billion US dollars, according to the Bank, equivalent to roughly 27 percent of its overall country portfolio. The programme is expected to reach completion by the end of 2029.
