Unlocking Kenya’s Sanitation Potential: The Role of Policy and Governance in Driving Sustainable Solutions

What if every household, school, and community in Kenya had access to clean, safe, and sustainable sanitation? Imagine the impact on public health, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. Yet, for millions, this vision remains far from reality. As rapid urbanization and climate change worsen sanitation challenges, innovative solutions and bold leadership are more critical than ever. How can Kenya turn its sanitation crisis into an opportunity for economic growth, public health, and environmental sustainability? The answer lies in rethinking sanitation—not just as infrastructure, but as a driver of dignity and health. While progress has been made, significant challenges remain, underscoring the need for robust policy frameworks, effective implementation, and inclusive governance.

The Current Sanitation Landscape in Kenya

Despite efforts to improve sanitation, progress has been slow, with significant gaps remaining, particularly in rural and informal settlements. According to JMP 2022, only 31.5% of Kenyans have access to safely managed sanitation services, with rural communities and informal urban settlements disproportionately affected. Open defecation remains a reality for about 6.5 % of the population, posing severe health risks and undermining public health achievements.

Governments and stakeholders have recognized the urgent need for action, with sanitation and hygiene integrated into Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, systemic challenges—ranging from inadequate funding to weak enforcement of regulations—continue to hinder progress.

Policy Frameworks: A Step in the Right Direction

Kenya’s sanitation policies, including the Kenya Environmental Sanitation and Hygiene Policy (KESHP) 2016-2030, provide a strategic framework for achieving universal access to sanitation. This policy emphasizes:

1. Devolution of Responsibilities: With the advent of Kenya’s devolved governance system, counties now play a critical role in implementing sanitation programs. This localized approach ensures tailored solutions that address region-specific challenges.

2. Behavioral Change Campaigns: Policies focus on promoting behavioral change through education and awareness campaigns, fostering a culture of proper sanitation practices.

3. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Recognizing the resource gaps, policies encourage collaboration between the government and private sector to develop innovative and cost-effective sanitation solutions.

The year 2024, saw the National assembly make progress by adopting Le the sessional paper No 7 of 2024 on National Management Sanitation Policy that got adopted at the National Assembly with key policy initiatives including:

• Priority on non-sewered sanitation 

• Increasing public funding from 0.1% GDP to 0.5% GDP by 2030

• Priority on public-private partnership

Despite these frameworks, translating policy into action has faced hurdles, particularly in resource mobilization, capacity building, and monitoring.

Governance Challenges and Opportunities

Governance in Kenya’s sanitation sector has seen significant evolution but remains fraught with challenges that hinder progress:

• Fragmentation of Responsibilities: Overlapping roles between national and county governments often lead to inefficiencies and diluted accountability.

• Inadequate Funding: Sanitation remains underfunded, with most counties allocating less than the recommended 0.5% of GDP to sanitation and hygiene.

• Weak Enforcement: Policies are often not backed by stringent enforcement mechanisms, allowing for non-compliance in both rural and urban settings.

However, opportunities abound for governance reform to accelerate sanitation outcomes:

1. Strengthening Devolved Systems: Counties should be empowered with technical expertise and resources to deliver on sanitation mandates. Capacity-building initiatives and clearer delineation of roles between county and national governments can improve service delivery.

2. Leveraging Technology: Digital tools can enhance monitoring and evaluation, ensuring resources are utilized effectively. Real-time data collection can inform policy adjustments and improve accountability.

3. Inclusive Governance: Involving communities in decision-making processes ensures that solutions are context-specific and widely accepted. Women and marginalized groups, often most affected by poor sanitation, should have a voice in governance structures.

4. Scaling Public-Private Partnerships: PPPs have proven successful in financing and implementing sanitation projects. Sanivation has tested this approach with Naivasha Water and Sanitation Company under a design, build, and operate (DBO) model. This collaboration unlocked funding for a larger waste-to-value plant, demonstrating how well-structured PPPs can drive investment in sanitation. Incentivizing private sector participation through tax breaks and subsidies can attract even more investment into the sector.

A Call to Action

The intersection of policy and governance is where Kenya’s sanitation transformation lies. For meaningful progress, a concerted effort is required from all stakeholders. Policymakers must prioritize sanitation in budgetary allocations and enforce existing frameworks. County governments should embrace their devolved mandates with innovative and community-driven solutions. The private sector and civil society must step in to fill gaps, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Sanitation is not merely an infrastructural challenge; it is a question of equity, dignity, and public health. By addressing governance challenges and translating policy into actionable, inclusive, and sustainable programs, Kenya can pave the way for a future where every citizen has access to safe and dignified sanitation. The time to act is now for all the state and non-state actors.