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Kenya Water for Health Organisation (KWAHO) is a national non-governmental organisation providing sustainable water and sanitation for the disadvantaged communities in Kenya. Its existence dates back to 1976 when it was launched as a UNICEF/NGO Water for Health Project by the National Council of Women of Kenya (N. C. W. K.). Part from the physical implementation of water and sanitation projects, KWAHO economically empowers the target groups (mainly women) through income generating activities.

These are promoted within the context of gender development. The KWAHO support consists of the encouragement of traditional women group activities and the conferment of skills required for these activities to develop in the most sustainable manner. KWAHO advocates the crucial role women play in water supply.

Since women are traditionally responsible for collecting water and therefore have got a special interest in a well-sustained scheme, KWAHO promotes the participation of women.

The most important impact of KWAHO Projects is the enhancement of awareness of the necessity for safe and clean drinking water and improved sanitation and hygiene appliances and practices in.

Current agricultural practices in addition to the effects of climate change have led to the uneven distribution of water throughout the Ewaso Ng’iro North Catchment, the largest of five water catchments in Kenya. Concentration of the area’s water resources in the south western part of the catchment—home to two of Kenya’s water towers—coupled with the region’s high population density and settlement have led to intensive use of, competition for, and conflict over existing water resources. In addition, the catchment’s limited storage capacity is insufficient to sustain the region year round. Although a variety of institutions have been established to address many of these challenges, weak institutional linkages, conflicting mandates and financial constraints have limited effective implementation of water resource management and conservation in the area.

Launched in October 2016, the Mount Kenya Ewaso Water Partnership—MKEWP— is a partnership of public, private and civil society organisations committed to socially acceptable, economically favourable and environmentally sustainable management of water resources in the Ewaso Ng’iro North Catchment area. Spearheaded by the County Government of Laikipia and Mount Kenya Growers Group, and supported by the Kenya 2030 Water Resources Group, the partnership will provide a mechanism by which water access, use, management and conservation can be addressed in the Upper Ewaso Ng’iro North Catchment area—an area of approximately 15,000 square kilometres, through collective actions that balance the social, economic and environmental demands on water resources equitably.

The MKEWP has already received commitment from 29 partners from rural Water Resource Users Associations, Community Forest Associations, Laikipia, Meru and Nyeri county governments, civil society, private sector (commercial growers), parastatals, research institutions, conservancies and water service providers.