Team Europe Strengthens Partnership with Kenya to Advance Water and Sanitation Sector

The ceremony brought together key stakeholders, including the French Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Arnaud Suquet ; Sandra Kassab, AFD Africa Director ; Governor of Kisumu County, Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o ; Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation & Irrigation, Eng. Eric Muriithi Mugaa ; Principal Secretary Julius Korir ; KIWASCO Managing Director, Mr. Thomas Odongo ; and representatives from EU, EIB and the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency (LVSWWDA).

The LVWATSAN Program aims to upgrade water and sanitation facilities for more than 600,000 residents and encompasses major upgrades to the Dunga Water Treatment Plant, rehabilitation of Nyalenda ponds, additional storage and transmission infrastructure, and the expansion of water distribution to Northern Kisumu and surrounding communities.

The Program received robust support KES 10.5 billion (EUR 70 million) from the Kenyan Government and Team Europe, including, the Agence Française de Développement, the European Investment Bank and the European Union.

H.E. Arnaud Suquet, French Ambassador to Kenya, said: “Through this new milestone in the water and sanitation sector, France is committed to pursue our enduring partnership with Kenya which continues to bear fruit in transforming lives and livelihoods across the country, especially in Kisumu.”

Sandra Kassab, AFD Africa Director, said: “This project is a testament to AFD’s long-standing commitment to improving water and sanitation in Kenya. By expanding access to safe water and modern sanitation, we are not only enhancing public health but also empowering communities and fostering sustainable development in Kisumu and beyond.”

Henriette Geiger, EU Ambassador to Kenya, commented ahead of the event: "We are pleased to celebrate a milestone in transforming Kisumu's water and sanitation services, enhancing urban development in Kenya's third-largest city and its surrounding communities. This project aligns with the EU Global Gateway initiative, promoting clean, green transitions. The EU has contributed a KES.753 million (EUR 5 million) grant to this effort, developed in partnership with the Kenyan Government and Team Europe partners, AFD and EIB, as part of the broader KES.510 billion (EUR 3.4 billion) investment in climate and infrastructure across Kenya."

EIB Head of the Regional Hub for East Africa, Edward Claessen said: “This investment reflects our shared commitment to enhancing access to clean and safe drinking water for the people of Kisumu and the surrounding areas. Over the last decade, the EIB has provided over KES. 300 billion (EUR 2 billion) to Africa’s water and wastewater treatment projects in loans and grants. We are confident that our combined experience gained from involvement in water projects across the continent will make this project impactful, together with our implementation partners.”

Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, Governor of Kisumu County, emphasized: “Provision of clean water to citizens, coupled with good sanitation systems, remain our Administration's delivery priority. With the new Obwolo reservoir, more than 650,000 residents are assured of access to clean safe water by the year 2031.”

AFD has invested over KES. 52.5 billion (EUR 350 million) in Kenya’s water and sanitation sector, benefitting more than 2.5 million people nationwide. In Kisumu, the program aims to rehabilitate and extend the water supply network, expand sanitation infrastructure, and reduce environmental pollution in Lake Victoria, while prioritizing underserved communities to ensure inclusive access to essential services.

Through large-scale urban projects in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu, AFD has improved living conditions for millions of residents over the past decade by delivering sustainable water and sanitation solutions. As Kenya’s leading bilateral partner in the sector, AFD continues to support innovative and inclusive approaches that promote resilient urban development.

Press contacts:

European Union

Beatrice Hongo |Delegation-Kenya-press@eeas.europa.eu | +254 708 116 120

AFD

Linnete Bahati Amimo | amimol@afd.fr | +254 110 953 409