The Ministry of Water intends to partner with the private sector to increase funds for mitigating water scarcity.
Forestry and Natural Resources committee chair Andrew Mwadime and Water and Sanitation CS Zacharia Njeru emphasised the need to bring on board the private sector to boost funding.
"Public-private partnerships are a crucial mechanism for addressing insufficient funding towards universal and equitable access to safe and affordable water for all,"Mwadime said.
"Kenya has numerous natural water sources, however, growing water demand and water scarcity remains critical," he added.
They two spoke during the ongoing Water and Sanitation Investors Conference.
The conference themed “Accelerating Investments for the Sustainable Access to Water and Sanitation for All” seeks to strategise on integrated water resources management (IWRM), climate-resilient approaches and sustainable investment in infrastructure.
It also seeks to provide sustainable solutions to foster partnerships between the government and the private sector for financing bulk water supply and wastewater treatment.
This will accelerate universal access to safe and adequate water and sanitation services.
Some of the initiatives the Ministry of Water intends to embark on through the partnership is building of 100 dams in five years.
The ministry said four million Kenyans have already benefit from the government's development.
"Currently, 72 per cent of households have access to improved water services which ranges from 32 per cent in some counties and 100 per cent in Nairobi county," CS Njeru said.
"The 72 per cent has proved an increase of 2.1 per cent from last year. Water scarcity is a threat to the growth of Kenya's economy which we intend to eradicate."
Njeru added that 83 per cent of households have improved access to improved sanitation and urged more private sector players to collaborate to achieve the universal access to clean and safe water in the country.
Mwadime in turn stated that the Council of Governors has worked to develop proper investment for water management.
"County-specific frameworks have also been developed and operationalised, including progressive delegation of authority accordingly for water and sanitation, service provision to utilities, accompanied by the duty to give account for results,"Mwadime said.
He said as a means to end water scarcity, the counties are working to create formidable relations with the private sectors.
"We are focusing on advocating for the development of county and national investor-friendly policy frameworks and regulations, and good governance to create an attractive environment for investments in the water and sanitation sector," he said.
