On July 6, 2017, The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC), with support from KIWASH hosted a Sanitation Sub-Sector Investment Forum which attracted over 160 development partners including the World Bank, Africa Development Bank, the World Water Council and local commercial banks such as Kenya Commercial Bank, Cooperative Bank, Barclays Bank, Equity Bank, ABC Bank, Commercial Bank of Africa and GT Bank.

The Sanitation Sub-Sector Investment Forum provided a great opportunity for the key water service provider to share with participants the potential opportunities in the sanitation sub-sector that are commercially viable for investment.

Eng. Philip Gichuki, Managing Director of NCWSC presented a portfolio of 40 sewage projects, which will serve and improve sanitation services in the city.

"Our portfolio of 40 projects will expand coverage to 800,000 city residents," said Eng. Philip Gichuki, Managing Director, NCWSC. “When we do not invest in sanitation, we are working against our own economic growth, our own health, social and economic goals,” he added.

About 81 percent of Nairobi’s population has access to safe water while only 46 percent have access to sewage services. To increase sewer coverage from 46 percent to 81 percent, NCWSC requires Kshs. 11 billion (US$ 110 million).

Representatives of commercial banks said they were ready to lend assistance to the WASH sector, as long as they were able to demonstrate operational efficiency and cost recovery leading to sustainability.