Approved
Background: The project rationale is premised on the need to increase access to safe, sustainable and inclusive sanitation and hygiene, with improved management of sewage and faecal sludge for people living in deprived urban communities in Kenya. The project forms an integral part of Government efforts to improve access to sustainable sanitation in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030, the Big Four Development Agenda, and the SDG Sanitation Targets. It will support preparation of feasibility studies and detailed engineering designs for twenty-two (22) peri-urban and informal settlements to facilitate delivery and access to sustainable sewage and faecal sludge management infrastructure and services in Nairobi. The Project demonstrates Government’s commitment to improve the quality of life and living conditions of Kenyans, and provides opportunity for better city level sanitation planning, and increased sector investments in partnership with private sector financiers and development partners.
Objectives: The overall project objective is to contribute to increased access to safe, sustainable and inclusive sanitation services, with improved hygiene, sewage and faecal sludge management services for people living in deprived urban areas in Kenya. The specific objectives are to contribute to: (a) increase access to safe, sustainable and inclusive on-site and-off site sanitation; (b) increase access to efficient and sustainable sewage and faecal sludge management infrastructure and services; (c) create opportunities for increased sub sector investments.
Description: The project shall be implemented under two components with AWF support.
Component 1: Feasibility studies and engineering design consists of activities to provide opportunity to contribute to increase sustainable access to sewage and faecal sludge management infrastructure and services for people living in deprived urban centres in Nairobi. It involves studies, including socio economic, technical, institutional and financial assessments, campaigns, baseline studies and technical assessments, site selection and investigations, engineering design of collection and treatment infrastructure and services, and development of (a) innovative strategies to promote and market Sewage and FS reuse products, and (b) investment and implementation plans to facilitate future investments, among others. Adoption of a PPP model for O&M, along with staff training shall contribute towards sustainable delivery of services.
Component 2: Project management involves project and knowledge management activities.
The project’s direct beneficiaries are Nairobi County Council, Athi Water Works Development Agency, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Corporation, and Sector Ministries (Water and Sanitation, Agriculture, and Energy). Following realization of the downstream investments, the direct beneficiaries would be the (a) initial 1,103,370, and subsequently the 2,803,211 urban dwellers in deprived urban, peri-urban and informal settlements in Nairobi without adequate access to sustainable and inclusive sanitation, including sewage and faecal sludge management infrastructure and services. The study will contribute to the likely creation of about 300 new jobs following the implementation of the downstream investment projects. Other indirect beneficiaries are Private Sector Operators, local NGOs and CBOs.
Cost and financing: The AWF will co-finance the project along with the Recipient (Government of the Republic of Kenya through the Ministry of Water and Sanitation & Irrigation (MWSI). AWF will contribute € 980,767 representing 86% of the total project cost of € 1,138,644. The Recipient will contribute the remaining €157,877. It is expected that the Project will commence in April 2020 and be implemented over a 32 months duration.
Recommendation: It is recommended that a Grant not exceeding €980,767 from the African Water Facility Special Fund be extended to the Government of the Republic of Kenya for the implementation of the project as described in this appraisal report.