Water program
Access To Clean Water
Water Crisis in Kibra
Kibra is the largest slum in Africa. According to the World Health Organization, the amount of water
needed for domestic consumption varies between 50- 100 litres per capita per day . Residents in Kibera
are a long way off from achieving this recommended threshold, resulting from a poor supply of water.
Access to clean water is difficult as residents have to walk long distances to reach water points. This
problem is compounded further by poor infrastructure where raw sewage and contaminated garbage flow
through the slum and into nearby river thus polluting available water
Furthermore, residents, mostly women and school-going girls, have to walk long distances to get to a
water collection point, and at times have to queue up for hours to access water. Not only does the lack of
clean water have an immense impact on the health of Kibera’s inhabitants, but takes time away from girls
who could be in school learning. Also, the absence of toilet facilities and the open sewers have
exacerbated their plight. As an array of pipes snake their way into the slum, some burst and others are
vandalised.
Our Response
We have set in place several approaches to positively responding to the water and sanitation crisis:
- Supply of clean & Safe water – We have 2 water collection points within the Centre. These points
serve over 200 families daily. Also, we have 2 water storage tanks with a capacity of 10,000 litres
each. This ensures a consistent supply of water and especially when days when there water
shortages within the slum To further enhance the safety of water supplied, we have an
ultrafiltration water machine that filters water from the mains and resupplies it back to the water
collection points. This ensures families, schools and churches around have access to safe water.
- Community Toilets- the Centre of Love has 8 community toilets dedicated to serving families,
schools and churches around the area. Everyday, more than 100 people access the toilets and
this number is further increased during the school holidays when we have more than 300 children
at the Centre every day.
- Community engagement
(a)Women Empowerment- The Centre of Love hosts over 100 women daily who come to learn
skills in fashion and design, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. The women are also
enlightened on the importance of use of safe water and hygiene practices. The Centre also
hosted over 200 women during International Women’s Day 2024 who were among other things
trained on water, sanitation and hygiene.
(b) Youths’ empowerment-The Centre of love hosted a soccer tournament in April 2024 that
attracted over 100 youths. The youths participate in the games and as well on water, sanitation
and hygiene.
Our Achievements
Improved health – Over 2,000 families have accessed clean toilets, clean and safe water for
consumption and other household needs. This has resulted to improved health of families and
general well-being.
Improved girls’ education – School- going girls around the Centre of Love have more time to
focus on their studies due to ease of access of water and shortened time spent on water queues.
Community water champions-Over 300 women and youths have been trained on WASH areas
and are active WASH champions around Kibra.