Sanitation Accountability Symposium: Calibrating for the True North in Fecal Management

Despite the call by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 for universal access to safe water and sanitation, 1.7 billion people still lack access to basic sanitation globally (USAID, 2022). Further, it is estimated that by 2030, 2.8 billion people will lack access to safe sanitation services unless the current progress is quadrupled. The situation is further aggravated by ongoing climate change and rapid urbanization with the corresponding increase in the demand for sanitation services.

Although the Constitution of Kenya 2010 revolutionized the Country’s water and sanitation management by making access to water and sanitation a basic human right and devolving the services to counties to increase access, sector reports show missed targets in this regard. Many citizens still rely on pit latrines or other unimproved, non-sewered sanitation solutions. By June 2020, the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) reported that 85% and 12% had no access to safely managed sewered sanitation and onsite sanitation respectively. Therefore, the sanitation situation in Kenya requires innovative ways to scale up the provision of adequate water services to the citizens. Furthermore, access to safely managed sanitation services is crucial for sustainable development.

It is against this backdrop that Strathmore University hosted the sanitation accountability symposium. The event, themed Calibrating for the True North in Fecal Management, brought together more than 100 key players in the Kenya WASH Sector to discuss issues affecting fecal management.

Post the symposium, the expected outcomes include:

• Developing a framework for True North in fecal waste management
• Providing a forum for multi-sectoral discussion on self-regulatory framework for fecal waste management
• Identification of strategies for inclusivity in the provision of sanitation services
• Developing plug-in process for sanitation innovations
• A white paper discussing the key highlights from the symposium along with proposed solutions for enhancing sanitation

The Strathmore University Water Governance and Innovation Hub is the first of its kind in the Kenyan Water Sector as a vehicle for enhancing the gains already made towards universal access to water and sanitation services. The Hub was established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between AWWL and SBS on 12^th June 2021.

The aim of the Hub is to transform Water Sector Governance and Innovation in Kenya, Africa and beyond. Learn more about the Water Governance and Innovation Hub here

By Juliet Hinga