A new report launched by the Water and Sanitation for Urban Poor (WSUP), shows that the economic value of the water and sanitation industry, would double by 2030 hence, unlocking economic dividends for the country.
According to WSUP Country Programme Manager, Kariuki Mugo, the market value for water infrastructure and services in the Country is currently at Sh3.2 billion and is projected to hit Sh6.2 billion by 2030.
Mugo was speaking during a virtual conference of the Fifth African Conference of Science Journalists, where he highlighted the economic value of investments in the water and sanitation sector.
“Within the sanitation economy, there is a huge market for example the sanitation products, distribution channels, which is enticing key players, to come into the market and cash in,” he said.
He added that through the support of the African Minister Council of Water and Sanitation, an African Union (AU) institution based in Abuja, the sanitation sector is expected to make huge progress and generate money for the economy.
The Organization, he said, has been working into enabling each government to have a progressive sanitation policy, through the program called Africa Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPGs)
Mugo emphasized that several elements need to be put together to achieve enabling environment for sanitation and that includes proper governance.
“The government needs to put institutions that have been designed, structured, and resourced, with the right policies and regulations to deliver and manage sanitation marketing,” he emphasized while acknowledging the government’s efforts in initiating various projects in the sector that have had an economic impact in the Country.
He also noted that the major challenge affecting the sanitation sector is the lack of proper communication between the public and private sectors, which is very critical in moving the sector forward.
“We need to have collaboration and coordination within the sector, bringing together all the stakeholders such as the Fourth Estate, academia, and have a mutual conversation, rally for support and design programs, which contribute to the same objective,” he noted.
Mugo called on media practitioners to help create awareness on proper sanitation, by reporting objectively and promoting behavior change communication among the citizens.
WSUP is among non-commercial private organizations that work with county governments, to tackle the water and sanitation crises in the Country.
By Mary Odago and Robert Ojwang’
