The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Kenya operates within an increasingly complex and evolving context. Climate variability, a growing reliance on solar-powered systems, expanding humanitarian demands, and persistent technical and institutional capacity gaps continue to shape the sector’s performance. In addition, many professionals in the WASH sector acquire skills primarily through on-the-job experience, which, while valuable, can sometimes result in uneven outcomes, especially in critical areas such as operations and maintenance.

To reduce these uneven outcomes, UNICEF, in collaboration with the Strathmore Energy Research Centre, conducted a five-day training from 15th to 19th December 2025 to improve the quality, reliability, and sustainability of WASH services in humanitarian and development settings. The programme targets technical staff from WASH humanitarian partners and the government and aims to build institutional and individual capacity to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy technologies. The training included Water Services Department Directors from the counties of  Wajir, Baringo, Busia, Garissa, Homabay, Kisumu, Isiolo, Kajiado, Marsabit, Mandera, Samburu, Turkana, Tana River, and West Pokot. The training modules included: Fundamentals in Electricity, Energy, and Motor; Groundwater and Borehole Systems; Hydraulics and Pump Performance; Integrated System Design; and Power Backup and Electrical Integration.

Anne Atieno Kombija, Director of Water Services Provision, County Government of Kisumu, reiterated the significance of the training, noting that “in many African countries, the sustainability of WASH facilities, particularly in rural areas, remains a major challenge, further compounded by the increasing impacts of climate change.” Reflecting on her professional practice, she added, “For a long time, I designed WASH systems without fully considering source protection as a core component of sustainable design. This training addressed that gap by equipping me with the skills needed to design sustainable, climate-resilient WASH facilities that integrate long-term functionality with climate-proofing considerations.”

“This training was an eye-opener for all participants,” said Macharia Robinson, Director of Water Services, County Government of Samburu. “During one of the sessions on diagnosing challenges using a problem tree, I clearly identified gaps in my previous design approaches. By transforming the problem tree into an objective tree, I gained practical insights that I look forward to applying upon my return to Samburu. I plan to develop a model community-level water project that will be a true game changer and deliver lasting impact.”

This initiative underscores that improving WASH service quality relies primarily on strengthening the capacity of existing professionals. By shifting the focus from employability to institutional and workforce upskilling, the programme better reflects the realities of WASH service delivery in Kenya. The training has established a strong foundation for a structured, multi-level capacity development pathway to support counties, humanitarian partners, and national institutions in delivering reliable, safe, and climate-resilient WASH services.

This article was written by Anne Njeri, Communications Officer, Strathmore Energy Research Centre.