The European Union and its member states have pledged to continue supporting Kenya and the water sector, to ensure the right to water and reasonable standards for sanitation for every Kenyan, is in line with the Constitution and Vision 2030.
Head of Development Cooperation for the European Delegation in Kenya Erik Habers says despite Kenya being elevated to a middle income economy, the EU has no immediate plans to end support for water and development projects.
More than 80 per cent of funds to Water Services Trust Fund comes from development partners.
The EU says it’s premature to stop donor support, with more than 40 per cent of Kenyans lacking access to clean and adequate water.
Habers was speaking at a press conference by key partners to the water sector on the sidelines of the first Kenya Water Week at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).
The conference theme is From Aid to trade: Enhancing business partnerships and innovation for sustainable water and sanitation provision.
Speaking at the same press conference, the First Secretary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Noeke Ruiter, affirmed that her country would cease all aid to Kenya by 2020 but added that they would work with the government to implement sustainable models to replace aid.
While acknowledging that aid to Kenya would eventually cease, Deputy Head of Mission of the Danish Embassy, Lars Bredal called for a more phased approach to the cessation of aid to ensure programmes remained on course towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals. “ASAL and vulnerable communities still need to be cushioned from the shocks of lack of adequate water and still need some support.”
The development partners from the European Union and its Member States recognized the role that the Constitution assigns to Counties for supply of water and adequate sanitation to 47 counties. While acknowledging that the Water Act of 2016 makes the devolution process smoother by clarifying roles of the national and county governments, they said the role of the national government of oversight and support are critical.
“County governments now face the challenge of being responsive to the needs of their electorates and to honour the constitutional obligation to progressively provide water services to all people. This will stimulate business and employment opportunities, trade, efficiency and capacity for water and sanitation providers,” the diplomats said.
They were emphatic that high-performing water companies can play an indispensable role in strengthening the legitimacy of counties and in providing water services to the people efficiently.
The Principal Secretary for Water and Irrigation, Prof Fred Segor, said the government was cognisant of diminishing aid for development and was putting in place mechanisms to ensure sustainable funding to the sector as aid decreases.
Kenya Water Trust Fund CEO, Ismail Shaiye said Kenyans will take ownership of water programmes if they pool resources, and employ best practices and innovations developed both locally and internationally.