Kitui County has entered a new partnership with USAID to address long-standing water shortages affecting nearly half of its population. The initiative, implemented under the five-year Sustainable, Transformational and Accessible Water Interventions (Stawi) project, aims to improve access to clean and reliable water for more than 500,000 residents. The programme was officially introduced during a joint planning workshop held in Kitui, bringing together county leaders, USAID officials and stakeholders in the water sector.
The county, where 44 per cent of residents lack access to clean water, faces persistent challenges, including long distances to water points—often stretching up to 10 kilometres in remote areas. During the launch, Deputy Governor Augustine Kanani welcomed the initiative, noting that Stawi aligns with the county’s broader water development agenda as outlined in Governor Julius Malombe’s Kitui Promise. USAID representatives, including Senior WASH Specialist Martin Mulongo and Stawi Chief of Party Robert Kisyula, emphasized that the project is part of a larger $24.8 million investment targeting nine arid and semi-arid counties across Kenya. The partners jointly crafted an action plan focusing on improving water governance, strengthening local capacity and advancing equitable access for households, livestock and irrigation.
Stakeholders expressed optimism that the intervention will help transform Kitui’s water sector, ultimately boosting food production and resilience against drought. USAID noted that the long-term goal is to enable communities to increase irrigated agriculture and reduce dependence on rain-fed farming. County officials added that the collaboration will also enhance coordination among water actors and promote sustainable management of existing resources. With the project running through 2028, Kitui leaders hope the partnership will mark a turning point in efforts to secure safe and consistent water supply for all residents, strengthening livelihoods and positioning the county for future economic growth.