PS Ng’eno calls for scaling up of Upper Tana Water Trust Fund

The government has called for the scaling up of the public private partnership model for watershed restoration saying it has helped Nairobi get quality water.

Environment PS Festus Ng'eno said the Upper Tana Water Trust Fund has demonstrated how downstream users—utilities, businesses, and public agencies—can invest upstream to secure long-term water quantity and quality.

"Kenya was the first country in Africa to establish a Water Fund (2015), which has inspired the growth of 17 Water Funds across 11 African countries. The model is very successful," Ng'eno said.

Ng'eno made the remarks on Monday during celebration to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Upper Tana Water Trust Fund.

The theme of the event was “A Decade of Conservation.”

Along the Upper Tana water shed, the fund supports farmers in soil conservation, water harvesting and agroforestry, and also the riparian protection. 

Ng’eno said the Fund has over the 10 years  contributed to improved water quality, reduced sedimentation, and enhanced dry-season flows, benefiting millions in Nairobi and surrounding regions.

"The Fund has enabled restoration of critical water tower ecosystems through community partnerships, civil society organizations, and private sector coinvestment," Ng'eno said.

Ng'eno said the Fund has also improved livelihoods by supporting sustainable agriculture, water access, and environmental jobs.

He said the Water Fund model is fully aligned with Kenya’s national commitments on water security, watershed restoration, climate resilience, and biodiversity protection.

Ng’eno said the fund supports Kenya’s goals under the National Water Master Plan, Climate Change Act, and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) through naturebased solutions (NbS).

"Science shows that investing in green infrastructure—forests, riparian zones, soil health—can be more cost-effective than gray infrastructure alone."

The Water Fund has successfully mobilized support from National government agencies, utilities such as the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company, contributing funding and operational data, private sector firms such as EABL, Frigoken, Pentair, Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, and others.

Ng'eno urged for more investments saying the model is working.

He said there is more pressure on water towers due to population growth, land use change, and climate impacts, sustained investment is essential. 

The PS said the model offers high return on investment, reduced treatment costs, and long-term ecosystem resilience.

"The Ministry calls on development partners, private sector actors, climate funds, and local philanthropies to scale these investments and replicate the model across Kenya’s water towers."

Ng'eno said Kenya is committed to strengthening enabling policies and creating the right investment environment for NbS and watershed finance to thrive.

Ng'eno reaffirmed Kenya’s ambition to strengthen Water Funds nationwide, scaling impact in Eldoret–Iten, Upper Tana, Nandi/Yala, Coast/Jumuiya ya Pwani.

President, Board of Trustees, Upper Tana Nairobi Water Fund Trust Eddy Njoroge said water security is not built on the pipeline but landscape.

Njoroge said the success of the trust is as a result of dedication of the founding members as well as the serving ones.

Regional Managing Director, Africa, The Nature Conservancy Ademola Ajagbe  said within the water shed, over 260,000 farmers are working with the Trust.

He said 17,000 rainwater harvesting structures storing 2 billion liters of water per year have been established.

Ajagbe said 470, 000 acres of land have been put under improved management while over 980 kilometers of rivers are now under improved management.

Nyandarua governor Dr. Moses Kiarie Badilisha said 10,560 farmers have benefitted from the fund in his county.

He said 167 grass strides have been planted, 62 kilometers of terraces have been erected, and 46 kilometers of riparian conserved.

The governor said 927,000 agro-forestry trees have been handed to farmers together with 55,000 hass avocado.

Badilisha said over 300 farmers have benefited from water pans.

He said the target this year is to have another 1,000 farmers benefit.

Badilisha said there is a need to build from the 10-year success.