The Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Hon Alice Wahome has reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to scale up water projects in the country’s through Public Private Partnership collaboration.
In remarks read on her behalf by Dr Paul Ronoh, Principal Secretary, State Department Water and Sanitation at Maanzoni lodge, during a stakeholder engagement workshop for Water sector PPP projects, Alice Wahome said the private sector had a role to support the Water sector to complement Government’s in enhancing water coverage.
In a statement read by PS, Dr Paul Ronoh at Maanzoni lodge during a stakeholder engagement workshop for water sector PPP projects, Alice Wahome, the Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, emphasized the importance of the private sector in supporting government’s efforts to enhance water coverage.
“Increased PPP funding framework particularly for the large capital projects in the water sector is required to increase access to 60% for regulated services to 80% and increase irrigation coverage to 1.2 million acres by the year 2030. PPP funding frameworks are thus essential for mobilization of private sector financing. Water Purchase Agreement [under discussion] are expected to anchor private investment in the water, sanitation and irrigation sectors” She said.
Ms. Wahome noted that the private sector had a crucial role to play in helping the government to achieve its water access targets, particularly in terms of financing, expertise, and technology. She highlighted how private-public partnerships could enable the sector to leverage private sector expertise and resources to achieve greater coverage.
Ms. Wahome further noted that the government was also committed to creating a conducive environment for private sector investment in the water sector. She cited the establishment of the National Water Board, which was established to “provide a platform for dialogue between the public and private sectors in the water sector”, as well as the development of a water sector PPP framework, which outlines the roles and responsibilities of the private and public sector.
In conclusion, Ms. Wahome highlighted the importance of PPPs in the water sector, noting that they could help to bridge the gap between what the private and public sectors can offer, and thus enable the government to achieve its water access targets. She also urged stakeholders to work together to ensure that these projects are effectively implemented.
