WaterFund wins award for water financing

The Water Sector Trust Fund (WaterFund) has received a Catalytic Finance Leadership Award for Water and Sanitation in recognition of its role in mobilising funding and supporting investments aimed at improving water and sanitation services in Kenya.

The award was presented by Water.org during the Water Credit Forum 2026, held in Nairobi on October 16, 2026. WaterFund Chief Executive Officer Willis Ombai received the award on behalf of the institution.

The recognition highlights WaterFund’s contribution to developing financing approaches that help bridge the gap between the resources available and the investment required to expand water and sanitation infrastructure, particularly in underserved and marginalised communities.

Kenya continues to face significant financing challenges in its efforts to provide reliable water supplies and adequate sanitation to its growing population. Expanding coverage requires investment in water treatment facilities, distribution pipelines, sewerage networks and community-level water projects, as well as funding for the operation and maintenance of existing infrastructure.

Public funding alone is insufficient to meet all these needs, making partnerships with development agencies, financial institutions, private investors and local communities increasingly important.

WaterFund plays a key role in supporting water and sanitation projects, particularly in underserved areas where conventional financing may be difficult to secure. Through grants and other financing arrangements, the institution helps communities and water service providers develop infrastructure that might otherwise struggle to attract sufficient funding.

Catalytic finance can help unlock additional investment by using initial funding to encourage other financiers to participate in projects. When combined with blended finance approaches, it can bring together public resources, development funding and private capital to improve the viability of water and sanitation investments.

Such arrangements are particularly important for rural communities and low-income settlements, where infrastructure costs can be high while the ability of residents to pay for services remains limited. Carefully structured financing can help extend services while supporting the long-term sustainability of water projects.

The award also draws attention to the importance of partnerships in advancing Kenya’s water and sanitation agenda. Cooperation between government agencies, development partners, financial institutions and water service providers can help mobilise resources, improve project preparation and direct investment towards areas with the greatest need.

Improved access to safe water and sanitation contributes to public health, education, livelihoods and local economic development. Reliable water supplies support households, schools, health facilities and businesses, while better sanitation helps reduce pollution and the spread of waterborne diseases.

WaterFund’s recognition comes as Kenya continues to pursue Sustainable Development Goal 6, which seeks to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

The challenge ahead remains translating financing partnerships into completed projects and reliable services for communities. Sustained investment, effective project management and proper maintenance will be essential to ensure that funding delivers lasting benefits.

The award places renewed focus on innovative financing as one of the approaches Kenya can use to expand water and sanitation infrastructure and improve service delivery, particularly for communities that remain underserved.