Grant Assistance to the Republic of Kenya: Exchange of Notes on the “Project for Improvement of Water Supply and Sanitation in Border Areas and Informal Settlements in Nairobi County in partnership with UNICEF"

On 17 February, in Nairobi, the capital of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Ambassador Hiroshi Matsuura, and Dr. Shaheen Nilofer, UNICEF Representative in the Republic of Kenya, signed and exchanged notes for the Grant Assistance project titled “Project for Improvement of Water Supply and Sanitation in Border Areas and Informal Settlements in Nairobi County.” The grant amounts to approximately 626 million Japanese Yen.

1. This project is a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) support initiative to be implemented over three years from 2026 to 2029 by the Government of Japan in collaboration with UNICEF and in partnership with the Government of Kenya. The project will target Garissa, Busia, and Wajir Counties, as well as informal settlements in Nairobi County. Garissa and Wajir host significant populations of refugees and internally displaced persons, making improved access to safe water and sanitation services an urgent priority for community health and stability.


2. Through this cooperation, the project will focus on improving water and sanitation facilities in schools and health centres, promoting efforts to eliminate open defecation, strengthening community resilience and disaster preparedness, encouraging the adoption of market-based sanitation solutions, and enhancing the capacity of local governments, health workers, and communities—including women and youth. It will also strengthen systems for operation and maintenance of facilities. Furthermore, the project will support community-based early warning mechanisms to enhance preparedness for flood risks and climate change-related infectious diseases.