Water and sanitation supply in (peripheral) urban growth regions

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Kenya is the engine of development in East Africa. It is characterized by rapid urbanization and high population growth. The (peripheral) urban growth regions (satellite cities) around the capital Nairobi are disproportionately affected by this - they are growing more than one and a half times faster than the national average. As a result, they face the great challenge of providing public infrastructure and services both immediately and meeting demand in the long term. The lack of public infrastructure particularly affects water and sanitation and wastewater disposal. Chronic water rationing and health risks for often low-income consumers are the result. In addition, both the environment and the development of industry are negatively affected by the lack of water and wastewater infrastructure. Against this background, the project aims to ensure sufficient, socially and economically viable access to clean water for the target population in the satellite cities, incorporating further investments in appropriate wastewater disposal. The design of the FC project is based on a participatory bottom-up approach that is unique in Kenya. Water supply companies from the target areas proposed investments with a focus on poor sections of the population. A special feature is that the investment proposals complement other interventions in the program area in the sense of a holistic, division of labor approach. Investments in sanitation, which are financed by the development cooperation-supported Water Sector Trust Fund (WSTF), the Kenyan government and other donors, are particularly noteworthy here. Due to the enormous investment requirements, the FC project was planned for several phases. Phase I presented here refers to the FC funds of EUR 28 million pledged in 2013. It includes the expansion of the (peripheral) urban water supply in the Ruiru-Juja and Ongata Rongai/Oloolaiser areas as well as consulting services for construction planning and construction monitoring, among other things. It is planned to strengthen the program sponsors with training and further education measures and support from technical cooperation. The duration of Phase I is estimated at around three and a half years. Since German development cooperation is withdrawing from the water sector, no further phase is currently planned. After the successful completion of the FC measure (Phase I), the water supply for around 340,000 people is to be improved (around 260,000 of whom have not yet had any access). At the same time, the Kenyan institutions are to be enabled to independently expand and improve water and sanitation services. The total cost of the FC measure (Phase I) is around EUR 30.8 million. This is to be financed through an FC loan of EUR 28 million and a contribution from the Kenyan government of around EUR 2.8 million. In addition - if the recipient requests it - there will be a further EUR 1.3 million grant for the A+F measure (BMZ No. 1930.0508.9), which has already been promised as part of the neighboring FC project to expand and modernize the water supply in Nairobi.