SECTOR COORDINATION AND PLANNING

KIWASH works with national and county governments and in coordination with other sector actors partner county governments to effectively plan, design, and implement COVID-19 response and recovery activities.

SUPPORTING SOCIAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE CAMPAIGNS

We target to train 1,500 WASH champions in comprehensive social behavior change communication (SBCC) to reach 500,000 people in informal settlements, markets, and schools with adequate COVID-19 messaging.

WASH IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES

KIWASH uses the WASH Facility Improvement Tool (WASH FIT) risk-based approach that was developed by the World Health Organization to ensure WASH infrastructure and practices are safely managed, sustained, and provide reliable services.

RISK COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

KIWASH supports county health staff to develop and conduct risk assessments in locations with high infection potential including health facilities, schools, and markets.

MAINTAINING SERVICE PROVISION

KIWASH supports WSPs to address the challenges of reduced revenue collection and continuity of supply chains or stockpiles of critical materials which have been exacerbated by the pandemic.

STRENGTHENING RURAL WATER SUPPLIES

KIWASH works closely with county and sub-county government staff to improve WASH services in rural areas and informal settlements through technical and capacity building support coupled with targeted infrastructure investments.

SECURITY OF WASH INFRASTRUCTURE

In partnership with county governments and coordination with other sector actors, KIWASH is supporting the continuity and functionality of WASH services.

Commercial Finance

The financial cost of meeting the water supply and sanitation needs of all Kenyans who lack access far exceeds the resources of either the donor community or the government of Kenya.

Environmental Sustainability

Kenya faces a growing challenge of providing its human population with adequate clean water and sanitation services not only for household consumption, but also for agriculture and broader economic growth.

GOVERNANCE AND POLICY

Policy reforms to strengthen county government structures and responsibilities to minimize confusion due to conflicting laws.

The Kenya Integrated Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (KIWASH) is a five-year program of the US Agency for International Development, implemented by DAI with the goal of improving the lives and health of Kenyan citizens in nine counties through development and management of sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services.

From September 2020, KIWASH re-oriented its scope to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining and advancing the development gains. Through a US$9 million investment by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the American people, KIWASH targets to improve access to drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services for 140,000 Kenyan citizens in nine counties.

To ensure that improvements in access are accelerated and sustained, KIWASH is implementing activities which contribute to six distinct objectives: Sector coordination and planning, Support to social behavior change campaigns (SBCC), Build capacity of county staff to promote improved risk communication and community engagement, Support water service providers (WSPs) to maintain service provision, Security of WASH infrastructure, WASH in healthcare facilities.

All six core areas are not implemented in each KIWASH focus county but specific activities are selected at the national and county level in accordance with identified needs and gaps and USAID’s overall WASH strategy in Kenya.