Kenya Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Fact Sheet

Many Kenyans living in rural areas still walk long distances for water, often collecting it from unsafe sources. These conditions have a profound effect on public health, causing undernutrition, illness and disease, particularly in children under the age of five. Women and girls are disproportionately affected, often sacrificing their own education and enrichment to trek long distances in search of water for their families. Working with communities, businesses and county governments, USAID is expanding access to water for human, livestock, environmental and agricultural use and improving sanitation and hygiene. These efforts are reaching households, schools and hospitals—environments at high risk for the transmission of infectious diseases—with education, products and other support to help increase healthy behaviors. To maximize benefits and reach those in greatest need, water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) activities are integrated with other programs including agriculture, environment, governance, and maternal and child health.