Fund to end water crisis is launched

The Water Sector Trust Fund, a State corporation whose mandate will be to finance water resources management projects, has been launched to help address water crisis.

Ministry of Water and Sanitation Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui, who officially launched the fund yesterday, said it will go a long way in enabling the water sector achieve its objectives.

“The fund also provides for innovative and sustainable financing approaches to ensure vibrant and efficient business models to the sector,” said the CS.

During the launch, issues about low levels of access to water and sanitation, mostly in urban slums and in rural areas across the country, were raised. Nairobi suffers an acute water shortage despite the heavy rainfall.                                                                                                                                

The Nairobi County Government often blames shortages on low water levels at the Ndakaini Dam, which supplies 84 per cent of water used in the city. Currently, the dam is overflowing but still there is no water in Nairobi.

Stakeholders argued at the launch that the tussle between the ministry and county governments regarding implementation of water projects was a stumbling block that had stalled many projects and calls for harmony were made.

Water Fund CEO Ismail Shaiye attributed frequent water shortages in the country to poor use and lack of recycling measures, both by the authorities and in the household levels.

“We have a poor water usage norm, starting from our households. We should cultivate a culture of water recycling before we can open up to the broad conversation of water shortage hitting the country,” he said.

Chairman of Water Fund Patrick Kokonya said they will play a key role in cutting down water shortages by acting as an intermediary water provider in cases where bigger projects are yet to be executed, especially on water catchment areas.