By Ivy Chumo, Sarah Munyao Ndonye, Isabel Radoli, Blessing Mberu, Caroline Kabaria.
Life springs from water. Water is more than just a substance. It is the lifeblood of the planet and the essence of well-being. Sanitation and hygiene are closely tied to water, creating the foundation for human dignity.
The United Nations General Assembly has enshrined access to adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) as a fundamental human right, underscored through the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: ‘Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. This goal is vital for human survival, but it does not stand alone, as it is intricately linked to a web of other crucial global priorities – from climate resilience and energy sustainability to the very fabric of our cities, environmental protection, food security, poverty alleviation, gender equality, and health improvement.
Globally, the WASH sector acts as both a catalyst and a common thread, weaving through the tapestry of our world. Yet, as we approach the 2030 deadline, the world is significantly off-track in achieving the SDG 6. A substantial portion of the global population still lacks access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation. This stark reality paints a sobering picture, one that demands urgent global attention coupled with deliberate action.
In Kenya, progress towards SDG 6 has also been slow, with approximately 73% and 31% safe water and safely-managed sanitation coverage, respectively. Disparities in coverage persist, further coupled by pollution of the limited water resources due to inadequate sanitation further intensifying water scarcity. The changing climate acts as a threat multiplier, additionally compounding these challenges and threatening to make water resources more scarce, unpredictable, and polluted.
The link between melting glaciers and water scarcity
World Water Day was declared by the United Nations to be observed on 22nd March every year with the goal of highlighting the significance of freshwater and supporting the sustainable management of water resources. Celebrated for the first time in 1993, World Water Day 2025 focused on the theme “Glacier Preservation”. This theme draws attention to the importance of maintaining glaciers, which play a vital role in the global water cycle. Glaciers are huge blocks of ice that store water and slowly release it over time. Glaciers serve as natural reservoirs, storing freshwater and releasing it gradually to sustain life over time. Their preservation is, therefore, paramount to the sustainable management of water resources.
Directly linked to the alarming rate of glacier melt is the challenge of achieving SDG 6 by 2030 because as these icy giants diminish, the consequences continue to ripple outwards:
Water availability: The melting of glaciers directly impacts the availability of fresh water, affecting not only drinking water but also sanitation, agriculture, and countless other aspects of life.
Water quality: Changes in water flow and increased runoff from melting glaciers can degrade water quality, introducing pollutants and impacting the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems.
Climate change amplification: Glacier melt contributes to rising sea levels, consequently altering weather patterns and exacerbating the very climate change impacts that threaten water resources and sanitation infrastructure.
Collaborative and multi-stakeholder approach as an enabler
Climate change impacts water and sanitation in most regions, creating a complex and cyclic web of challenges, and addressing these requires a multi-pronged, multistakeholder, globally and locally collaborative approach. Innovative financing is crucial, as the scale of infrastructure investment needed to bridge the water and sanitation gap demands substantial financial resources. Actors in the WASH sector need to explore diverse funding mechanisms, including enhanced government budget allocations, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), Private-Initiated Projects (PiPs), blended finance models, green bonds, and domestic commercial lending markets.
Public-private partnerships, in particular, offer a pathway for shared investment and risk, driving the development of climate-resilient water and sanitation systems. Furthermore, leveraging climate-related financing mechanisms presents a significant opportunity. Instruments like the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and Nature-Based Solutions financing offer avenues for investing in projects that enhance water resilience, manage floods, and purify water.
The Kenya Water & Sanitation International Conference 2025 and the role of African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
In the face of these challenges, existing and grey innovations, policy guidelines, and practices, it is worth acknowledging that collaboration and knowledge-sharing among diverse stakeholders are paramount. The Kenya Water & Sanitation International Conference & Exhibition 2025 stands as a pivotal platform for convening experts, policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, community organizations, and other WASH stakeholders.
The goal of this conference is to take stock of existing gaps within the WASH sector in Kenya, showcase innovative solutions, foster collaboration, and develop strategies to create a bankable and attractive sector for investments, ultimately achieving climate-adaptive, efficient, and sustainable water and sanitation systems. By focusing on innovative financing models, technology, and policy innovation, the conference seeks to chart sustainable pathways toward climate-smart water and sanitation solutions, recognizing that ensuring access to these essential services is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of a sustainable future.
The African Population and Health Research Center is keen on using research evidence to co-create African-based solutions with diverse stakeholders in the sector. The center is therefore, playing a critical role in the Conference by leading the technical committee, ensuring discussions are research-driven and evidence-based. APHRC’s expertise helps shape the conference agenda, facilitate knowledge sharing, and promote data-informed decision-making in water and sanitation policies. By bridging the gap between policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders, APHRC strengthens collaboration to drive sustainable solutions for water security and improved sanitation, reinforcing its commitment to advancing health and well-being in Kenya and beyond.
2025 Conference Theme
The conference will focus on the intersection of sustainability and resilience in the context of water and sanitation, with a focus on climate adaptation and sustainable technology solutions, Innovative Financing models, Technology & Innovations for Sustainable Pathways to Climate-Smart Water and Sanitation Solutions & Investments. The conference is more than just a meeting; it is a platform for change. It aims to convene experts, policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, community organizations, and other stakeholders to collaboratively address gaps in universal coverage, showcase innovative financing models and technologies, and foster collaboration for climate-adaptive, efficient, and sustainable water and sanitation systems.
To learn more about the conference, visit https://kenyawatsan2025.org/
Call to Action
The water crisis requires collective, innovative, and collaborative efforts from diverse sectors. Be a catalyst for change!
The Kenya Water & Sanitation International Conference & Exhibition 2025 provides a platform for collaboration and innovation where organizations and individuals can actively participate and contribute to securing a water-resilient future.
We believe that this conference will catalyze and drive meaningful transformation for all stakeholders. Governments and key actors will have the opportunity to explore strategies and approaches to prioritize WASH in policy and planning, integrating climate resilience into national adaptation plans and SDG implementation. This includes but is not limited to establishing clear investment strategies, addressing bureaucratic bottlenecks, and promoting cross-sector collaboration, Public-Private Partnerships, blended finance models, green bonds, and domestic commercial lending markets.
Acknowledgment
Scientific & Technical Committee for the Kenya Water & Sanitation International Conference & Exhibition 2025