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Kenya

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Kenya

Kenya's water and sanitation crisis

With a population of 54 million, 15 million Kenyans lack access to safe water and 37 million lack access to a safe toilet.

Growing water demand and water scarcity have turned into a notable challenge in Kenya. Climate change, population growth, urbanization, water pollution, and poor management of water resources have aggravated the issue of the water crisis, which affects economic activities, food security, education, and health. These challenges are especially evident in rural areas and urban slums where people are often unable to connect to piped water infrastructure.

15 million lack access to safe water
Capital: Nairobi
Population of 54 million
37 million people lack access to a safe toilet

Our impact in Kenya

Kenya is home to Water.org’s first WaterCredit program in Africa. Since 2005, Water.org has been implementing this solution, providing support to financial institutions to lend for water and sanitation solutions at the household level. During the initial program, we proved the viability of this market-based approach and achieved more than double our projected impact, reaching more than 550,000 Kenyans with access to water or sanitation. We’ve built upon this successful foundation by engaging additional financial institution partners to develop and integrate water and sanitation lending into their portfolios over the last decade.

9.9 million
people now have access to safe water or sanitation
A woman smiling in front of her home next to 3 yellow water vessels.

Access to safe water and sanitation at home changes everything for families in Kenya, giving them time to learn, earn, and care for their farms and families.

A vision for future impact in Kenya

The water and sanitation crisis in Kenya remains critical, and we're developing new ways to scale our work to reach even more people.

  • We will continue to scale our WaterCredit solution with financial institution partners, including large regional banks and others in the financial sector.
  • We are working with microfinance associations to expand our proven, powerful approach to even more microfinance institutions in the country.
  • We plan to work with key stakeholders to drive public policy and practice shifts, enhancing the enabling environment for financing for water and sanitation solutions.
  • We are building new approaches to reach more people in need of safe water and sanitation solutions, like leveraging digital financial services and working with utilities to expand their service coverage to low-income areas.
Group of young children in school uniforms drinking water out of cups outside of their school in Kenya.

Patrica built a life she loves

Through Water.org, Patricia was able to use a small, affordable loan to purchase three rain storage tanks for her property. Now she has enough water to feed her livestock, water her vegetable garden, and to cover her household needs. And, now she doesn’t walk long distances carrying heavy vessels of water, multiple times a day.

  • Stories of Impact

    Phoebe shortened the distance between her family and safe water

    While she is soft spoken and gentle-hearted, Phoebe’s decision to finance a safe water solution for her family was nothing shy of bold and life-changing. Prior to giving her family a lasting safe water solution at home, Phoebe humbly drew upon every ounce of strength in her body to endure what she refers to as a daily journey to collect water. Then Phoebe's life changed when she was given the opportunity to finance a lasting safe water solution at home.

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  • Stories of Impact

    Closing the gap between Rwamburi and the water its families need to survive

    The Rwamburi Water Project committee formed with hopes of finding an affordable, safe, sustainable solution to their community’s water crisis. Read more about how Water.org’s work to increase affordable access to safe water helped empower the committee to close the gap between their community and access to the safe water they need to survive and thrive

    Read more
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  • Stories of Impact

    Creating resilience through sustainable solutions

    When Saphia first started farming, he struggled to grow healthy crops because he lacked an adequate supply of water. Saphia lives in a region in Kenya where the adverse effects of a changing environment, like drought, impact the ability of farmers to sustain their crops and livestock. The water sources are regularly dry and their wells are often not dug deep enough into the earth to source water. Read more to find out how Saphia overcame the effects of change in his region to ensure he could grow food and provide for his family.

    Read more
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See all Kenya stories

Kenya impact statistics

People reached 9.9 million

The number of people who now have access to safe water or sanitation and the health and opportunity they bring.

Capital mobilized (USD) $1.1 billion

Our partners mobilize funds from capital markets to provide water and sanitation loans.

Loans disbursed 2.4 million

Our local partners make loans to people in need for life-changing safe water and sanitation solutions.

Number of active partners 12

We work with financial institutions, service providers, international agencies, and governments to make an impact.

Repayment rate 96%

Every repaid loan means another family in need can get affordable access to safe water at home.

Average loan size (USD) $478

Small loans can help make a big difference by providing long-term solutions for families in need around the world.

Percent of women borrowers 60%

Women are primarily responsible for household water collection and are solving the water crisis for their families.

To help end the water crisis in Kenya, donate today.

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