The KCB Group and World Waternet signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen and scale water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) solutions in Kenya. The partnership also supports integrated water resources management (IWRM), helping the water sector respond to rising pressure from climate change and rapid urbanisation. The MoU was signed in December in Nairobi by Paul Russo, Group Chief Executive Officer of KCB Group, and Peter de Koning, Country Director of World Waternet.
Why this partnership matters now
Kenya’s water sector faces a major investment gap, while demand for reliable
services keeps growing. At the same time, there are opportunities for commercial financiers to help close that gap, especially when projects are well prepared and risks are clearly managed. This partnership brings together financial capacity and water sector expertise to accelerate investments that deliver results for people and the economy.
What the partnership is about
KCB Group provides access to capital, financial innovation, and market reach.
World Waternet contributes practical experience working with public water
organisations and utilities, supporting them to improve performance and prepare, design, and implement bankable infrastructure projects. Investments in the water sector go hand-in-hand with youth employment and investing in the next generation of water leaders, supporting personal and professional development for young professionals in Kenya. The partners will also co-develop IWRM interventions, including protection of riparian land, in collaboration with the agricultural sector, and catchment conservation. This supports climate mitigation and adaptation by investing not only in the tap, but also in the catchment and the full water cycle.
Building on our water operator partnerships in Kenya
The partnership builds on World Waternet’s existing water operator partnerships (WOPs) in Kenya. World Waternet works with Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC), Embu Water and Sanitation Company (EWASCO), and the Water Resources Authority (WRA). The long-standing relationships and experience gained in the WaterWorX and Blue Deal programs, help shape practical project design, reduce implementation risks, and strengthen monitoring of results.
Expected impact and link to SDG 6
This partnership is a major step for World Waternet to increase impact across the water cycle, linking our water operator partnerships (WOPs) with finance for infrastructure and capacity development. The shared ambition is to unlock
commercial and climate finance at scale for the Kenyan water sector, enabling
faster investments that strengthen access, reliability and resilience in line with
sustainable development goal 6 (SDG 6) and 13 (SDG 13).
What happens next
The ambition is to launch a number of projects in the first half of 2026 in Kenya. This will provide the learnings and experience required to evolve the investment program and increase impact across Kenya and East Africa.
