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Over 17 million Kenyans still lack access to safe water. This has a huge impact on health and infant mortality.
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32 million people don't have access to adequate sanitation in Kenya.


people in Kenya don't have access to safe water.



Kenya has a thriving tourist industry and exports tea, coffee and flowers around the world. But almost half the population live below the poverty line and millions lack safe water and basic toilets.

The crisis

WaterAid returned to Kenya in 2008, after ten years away from the country. Even though there are positive signs of development, 17 million Kenyans still lack safe water and 33 million lack access to a toilet. More than 10,000 children die every year from preventable diarrheal diseases.

As well as being scarce, water in Kenya is not distributed fairly. Priority is given to planned urban areas and wealthy rural communities that can pay for services, so those in slums and remote villages often go without.

The sustainability of water, sanitation and hygiene programs is also an issue. Although there is little reliable information, estimates suggest up to a third of water pumps are broken at any one time.

Our approach

WaterAid transforms lives in Kenya through local partners that understand the country's specific water and sanitation issues. By providing essential funds and expertise we support them to reach some of the country's poorest people.

We also work with civil society organisations to make change happen at all levels. This is to ensure water, sanitation and hygiene are prioritized in national plans and budgets.

We help build the capacity of local water boards and improve national information systems. This will create a more accurate picture of the functionality of water points and help to determine where the need is greatest.

Our impact

Our program in Kenya is at the pilot stage.

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