Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has officially unveiled a Ksh2.68 billion water and sanitation programme funded by a German loan, targeting 18 counties.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

This money comes from KfW, the German Development Bank, under the Kenya Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (K-WASH) Programme for the 2025/2026 financial year.

Mbadi confirmed the conditional allocations in the Gazette Notice dated 22nd May, acting under the County Governments Additional Allocations Act, 2025.

“IT IS notified for the general information of the public that pursuant to section 6 (2) (u) of the County Governments Additional Allocations (No. 2) Act, 2025, the conditional allocations financed by proceeds from KfW (German Development Bank) Loan for the Kenya Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (K-WASH) Program have been allocated to the county governments specified in Column A of the Schedule hereto in the amounts specified in Column B and Column C, for Financial Year 2025/2026,” stated the notice.

📌 What You Need to Know

Of the Ksh2.6 billion, Kitui County will get the biggest slice at Ksh248.8 million, being a predominantly semi-arid area.

Counties like Baringo, Garissa, Mandera, Migori, Murang'a, Nandi, Narok, Samburu, Tana River, Tharaka-Nithi, Vihiga and West Pokot will each receive Ksh143.1 million.

Other beneficiaries include Bomet with Ksh148 million, Kericho at Ksh143.1 million, and Kirinyaga getting Ksh144.3 million.

Kwale follows closely with Ksh143.4 million, while Makueni takes home Ksh144 million.

Over 80 per cent of Kenya's total landmass is classified as Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, or ASALs, concentrated in the northern, eastern, and coastal parts of the country, leaving only 20 per cent arable.

These regions are home to over one-third of Kenya's population, support more than 60 per cent of its livestock, and remain extremely sensitive to climatic changes driven by highly variable annual rainfall.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke