We are going to work on the law to make it possible for the private sector to invest in the water sector and we can buy water from them and reduce deploying resources from the government.
President Ruto
President William Ruto announced Monday that the government will work with the private sector to avert the water crisis in the country once and for all.
Speaking during the flagging off of relief food at State House to 23 counties ravaged by drought, Ruto announced that transit from rain-fed agriculture to irrigation farming will be critical in averting future food crises in the country.
President Ruto stated that his administration will collaborate with the private sector on water distribution as part of a public-private partnership to ensure the plan’s success.
“We are going to work on the law to make it possible for the private sector to invest in the water sector and we can buy water from them and reduce deploying resources from the government,” said Ruto.
Therefore, the president will be engaging with Parliament to enact a law that will create provisions for water purchase agreements, which will in turn open the door for public-private partnerships that private investors in Kenya can benefit from.
Irrigated agriculture, according to research, is at least twice as productive per unit of land as rain-fed agriculture, allowing for greater production and crop diversification.
3.5 million Kenyans are experiencing extreme famine as a result of the country’s wretched drought. But it’s not just that. With a 53 million-person population, 15% of Kenyans rely on unreliable water sources, including ponds, shallow wells, and rivers, and 41% do not have access to even the most basic sanitary facilities.
These difficulties are most noticeable in rural areas and urban slums, where residents frequently lack access to piped water infrastructure.
Globally, one in ten people, or 785 million people, lack access to clean water, and more than two billion people lack basic sanitation because of a shortage of water, according to the UN, highlighting the severe water crisis.
According to the World Bank, the gap between supply and demand for water will reach 40% by 2030, primarily as a result of climate change and the growing world population.
This shows the growing demand for water not just in Kenya but globally, citing a huge investment opportunity.
