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Kenya Launches SaniBook Digital Platform, Announces National WASH Conference to Transform Sanitation Sector
Gerald Kombo
January 23, 2026
Kenya's sanitation sector achieved a historic milestone with the official launch of the SaniBook Kenya digital platform and the announcement of a National Sanitation Conference, following a strategic working lunch that united government, utilities, regulators, and innovators. The event, held at the Trademark Hotel on January 22, 2026, successfully convened every pillar of a historically fragmented sector around a shared action framework to address a crisis costing the economy KES 27 billion annually.
The lunch, convened by Elizabeth Wambui, Founder and CEO of WASH Voice, was officiated by Principal Secretary Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng'eno (State Department for Environment and Climate Change, The National Treasury and Economic Planning) and Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki (State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Ministry of Health), whose joint presence symbolized the critical nexus at the heart of the new strategy.
Following the event, The 254 Report conducted interviews with key stakeholders, including Elizabeth Wambui (WASH Voice), Caroline Kwamboka N. (African Renaissance Trust), Dr. Charles Oyaya (Development Institute Africa), and Sam Langat (SATO), who demonstrated the innovations driving Kenya's sanitation transformation.
Context: A History of Fragmentation Meets an Urgent Present
From Pre-Colonial Harmony to Post-Independence Crisis
The session opened with Dorris Kirui, Head of Programmes at WASH Voice, providing crucial historical context, tracing Kenya's sanitation journey from pre-colonial harmony with nature to a post-independence legacy of "disjointed structures" and chronic underinvestment.
The Sanitation Journey Timeline presented at the event documented this evolution across five critical eras:
Pre-Colonial (Before 1895): Sanitation was a way of life, not a project, with communities living in harmony with nature and enforcing local solutions through mutual accountability
Colonial Period: Introduction of sewer systems in cities like Nairobi and Mombasa, creating stark inequality where sanitation became a privilege for those who could afford it rather than a universal right
Post-Independence (1963-2002): Inherited disjointed infrastructure systems with priority on water supply and chronic underinvestment in sanitation
Constitution (2010): Sanitation recognized as a human right with services devolved to 47 county governments
Water Act (2016) to Today: The current inflection point where the sector must define its path forward
The Alarming Numbers
This history has led to the crisis statistics displayed prominently at the launch:
Only 36% of Kenyans use safely managed sanitation services
Sewer coverage at a mere 15%
Only 48% have access to basic handwashing facilities including soap and water
"Why we're here today is bringing experiences together into action through documenting the successes into a centralized repository."
The presentation emphasized that rapid population growth and expanding informal settlements are outpacing infrastructure development, putting immense pressure on already insufficient systems.
What SaniBook Contributes: The Four Pillars
A Digital Solution to Decades of Fragmentation
The platform's value proposition was clearly articulated through four core contributions presented at the launch:
1. Documenting success in a centralized repository of working technologies – Ensuring proven sanitation solutions are captured and accessible to prevent "reinventing the wheel"
2. Unlocking Private Sector by reducing uncertainty – Providing the evidence base that gives private investors confidence to enter the sanitation space
3. Infrastructure: Replicating and scaling proven models – Moving successful pilots from isolated projects to scalable, bankable solutions that can be deployed nationwide
4. Developing sustainable financing mechanisms – Enabling targeted investments with accountability frameworks that ensure resources reach the right areas
The Panel Discussion: A New Ethos of Collaboration
"Does Documentation Feel Like a Threat or Motivation?"
A panel moderated by Annabel Waititu, WASH Specialist and Media Consultant, showcased a sector fundamentally aligned on collaboration over competition. The central question was whether having their innovations documented in SaniBook felt like a threat or a motivation.
Dr. Tobias Omufwoko CEO, WASHALLIANCE (K): "One More Edition That Inspires Us"
Dr. Tobias Omufwoko CEO, WASHALLIANCE (K), set the tone immediately, framing SaniBook as an essential addition to the sector's knowledge base.
"Sanitation SaniBook is a giant. We have had many more other books... This was just now the one that much higher on the ladder... It's one more edition that inspires us."
He positioned it alongside existing resources like the Sanitation Compendium but at a higher level of integration.
Joanne Konnes: "It Gives Voice to CSOs"
Joanne Konnes, Programme Officer at the Kenya Water and Sanitation Civil Society Network (KEWASNET), emphasized the platform's power for evidence-based advocacy and inclusivity.
"For me as an individual... it's very motivating. I'm looking at the SaniBook as a document that has mapped out the entire sanitation value chain... It gives visibility to each component... it gives voice to these CSOs."
She stressed that by capturing contributions from multiple institutions, SaniBook advances the "leaving no one behind" agenda not just for communities, but for the small community-level institutions often excluded from policy conversations.
Sam Langat: "A Toolkit the Sector Has Been Waiting For"
Sam Langat, General Manager at SATO (LIXIL), demonstrated the practical impact of such documentation with concrete global and local achievements:
Global Impact:
Over 81 million people reached globally in the last decade
Majority of growth in the last five years
Kenya Achievements:
100,000 toilets installed in rural settings through UNICEF partnership
500,000+ handwashing devices deployed within one year
KES 200 handwashing innovation developed from community practices
Langat displayed the physical handwashing device, explaining the human-centered design philosophy:
"We looked at the community and said, what do people use today? Recycled bottles. They put a cup on it, they bore a hole, and they use it to wash their hands."
SATO refined this grassroots solution into a durable, affordable product that achieved massive-scale adoption.
"We need to reduce the learning curve. When new programs are being launched in different counties, do they know what solutions are out there?... For me, it's a very good toolkit that the sector has been waiting for."
Miriam Kamau: "The Threat Doesn't Even Apply"
Miriam Kamau, CEO of Kenya Cast, dismissed any notion of competitive threat with compelling logic rooted in the scale of the crisis.
"The threat doesn't even apply, because with the numbers you've just seen... the coverage in Kenya is so small, even if we were 1000 times more, we still wouldn't get to achieve sanitation for all. We need people to come and see what they're doing, even if you're going to come and copy."
She framed the documentation as essential for consumer protection and market maturation: "People don't need to experience bad things to get to the good things. Let's tell people the good things are here and where they are, where to get them."
On financing, she stated: "Information is power. As long as people know where to get this information, it gets easy, even for the people who have the money."
Alex Manyasi: "Those Three Entities Cannot Be Wished Away"
Alex Manyasi, Senior Manager for Urban Public Health at the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), connected sanitation failures to broader systemic crises, emphasizing the critical nexus between environment, health, and water.
"There's a very close relationship between environment, health, water and sanitation... those three entities somehow cannot be wished away."
He reflected on the irony of sector professionals meeting abroad before realizing they were from the same country, underscoring the historical lack of coordination the platform aims to remedy.
Audience Engagement: Grounding the Framework in Reality
The Athi River Crisis: "What Comes to Your Plate in the Evening?"
The discussion became even more grounded during audience Q&A. A question on wastewater recycling prompted Samuel Manyasi to offer a visceral case study on systemic failure: the pollution of the Athi River.
"Do you know what comes to your plate in the evening? I was on the Athi River downstream... you see ladies telling us how they water their vegetables and come and sell to us."
He connected this directly to infrastructure spending imbalances with a pointed critique:
"If you can spend 500 million to put up a facility like this, surely you can spend another 10 billion to make sure that you treat your wastewater."
The example illustrated the human health consequences of failing to invest in essential sanitation infrastructure: contaminated food chains stemming from untreated wastewater used for agriculture.
Who's Left Out? These Children
Another question on the lack of child-friendly public toilets was reframed by Joanne Kairu as a systemic oversight the ecosystem must address.
"The point of having this SaniBook... is to see where the leakages are... who's left out, who pays the price. In her question, it's these children."
This response demonstrated how the platform's comprehensive value chain mapping could reveal gaps and vulnerable populations being overlooked by current interventions.
Institutional Transformation: Utilities and Regulators Sign On
WASPA: From "Water Companies" to "Water and Sanitation Companies"
The most significant operational announcements came from institutional leaders who outlined concrete sector reforms.
Antony Njaramba, CEO of the Water and Sanitation Providers Association (WASPA), declared a fundamental shift in service delivery philosophy.
"We have converted them... they're not just called water companies. They're called Water and Sanitation Companies."
This rebranding embeds the sanitation mandate into the core identity and operations of Kenya's water utilities: a structural transformation from sanitation as an afterthought to sanitation as a co-equal service mandate.
He specifically appealed to the two Principal Secretaries present: "I want to make a special appeal to both of them... at our next sanitation conference, we are kindly requesting that you participate fully."
Thomas Odongo: From "Cooked Data" to Digital Transparency
Thomas Odongo, Chairman of WASPA, added personal testament to this transformation, having led Kisumu's utility through this transition despite initial skepticism from peers.
"A few years ago, it was very difficult to find people seated in a room discussing sanitation... I'm happy today."
Odongo candidly addressed past failures that had undermined sector credibility, including "cooked" data that misrepresented progress and unsustainable pilots that would launch with fanfare but "end there" without scaling.
"With this digital tool, we are able to track, we are able to make corrections, and we are able now to scale."
The platform would make falsified data harder to sustain and provide the transparency needed to convert successful pilots into replicable programs.
WASREB: "We Are Committing to Support the SaniBook"
The ecosystem then received its crucial regulatory pillar from Andrew Wanyonji, representing Richard Cheruiyot, CEO of the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB). He gave SaniBook a formal, powerful endorsement grounded in the regulator's daily challenges.
"Data in sanitation is very fragmented. Public health has some data. The ministry has some data. We've captured some data from the water service providers... Having such a book will reduce a lot of headache in terms of getting where we are. We are committing to support the SaniBook."
This fragmentation made evidence-based regulation nearly impossible. Wanyonji's commitment represented the regulatory buy-in essential for the platform to become the sector's single source of truth.
The Keynote Addresses: A Dual Mandate from Environment and Health
PS Ng'eno: Ending "Data Darkness" for Climate and Economic Resilience
"We Suffer from Data Darkness"
Principal Secretary Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ng'eno began by humorously noting the inescapable logic of his attendance.
"They told me, your government sanitation, I'm responsible for environment, and therefore sanitation is inside there, so you must be here."
He praised Elizabeth Wambui's resilience in driving the initiative and contextualized the launch within Kenya's leadership role in Africa's Agenda 2063. PS Ng'eno then pinpointed the core challenge with precision:
"We do not suffer from a lack of innovation... we suffer from data darkness."
This diagnosis reframed the problem: Kenya has solutions; it lacks the systems to connect those solutions to policy and finance.
He stated the KES 27 billion annual loss is a deficit "we can no longer afford, later, for our economy, nor for the dignity of our people," grounding the economic argument in human rights.
The Nakuru Model: Proof Integration Works
PS Ng'eno emphasized that the path for integrated action was already clear, referencing the Nakuru County Inclusive Sanitation Strategy developed jointly by the Ministry of Water and Ministry of Public Health as a proven model.
"Therefore the resolution is relevant... we launched in Nakuru, it was supposed to be upscaled, and who was supposed to do the upscaling? Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Ministry of Public Health."
SaniBook would provide the mechanism to replicate such successes across Kenya's 47 counties.
The Sector's Collective Ambition
"This theme is a diagnosis of what our sector needs most. It represents our collective ambition to finally close the gap between the knowledge we possess and the power we need to effect change."
Sanitation as Climate Action
Crucially, PS Ng'eno linked sanitation directly to Kenya's climate and environmental agenda, elevating it beyond a WASH sector issue. He noted that poor sanitation:
Degrades ecosystems
Contributes to greenhouse gas emissions through methane from improperly managed waste
Conversely, proper management:
Protects water towers
Reduces pollution
Builds climate resilience
"When we manage well backed by data that this book provides, we protect our water towers, reduce pollution and build climate resilience."
This integration positions sanitation investments as climate finance priorities.
He confirmed that Principal Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Prof. Julius Korir, was aware of the initiative and would be part of the continued multi-ministerial collaboration, signaling whole-of-government buy-in.
PS Muthoni: From Eight Villages to National Transformation
The Reality: 20,000 Deaths Annually
Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni Muriuki then delivered a keynote grounded in the daily public health emergency of failed sanitation. She opened with staggering statistics that she insisted the room confront as reality, not abstractions:
"We all know that unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene contributes to about 1.4 million deaths globally... when you come back home, almost 20,000 right? So these are not just figures, but it's the reality."
She painted a vivid operational picture:
"When sewage is left to flow in drains or rivers, it pollutes the environment, contaminates water sources, and it quickly shows up in health facilities as diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, and worm infections, and especially among children. That's a fact."
Eight Villages: A Crisis Unfolding
PS Muthoni then shared a harrowing real-world example from her recent fieldwork that brought the crisis into sharp focus:
"Just the other day in one county... we were called for a reported case that a whole eight villages, people are reporting symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, stomach ache... only to realize that where they fetch water for the eight villages, is where they do defecation, the same place... And the whole eight villages, families got affected."
This anecdote powerfully illustrated the deadly nexus that she emphasized cannot be separated:
"Really, the nexus between water, environment and public health can never, ever be detached."
The eight villages story transformed abstract statistics into a visceral reality: entire communities sickened because the most basic principle of separating water sources from contamination points had failed.
Sanitation Is a Right, Not a Luxury
She framed sanitation in deeply human terms that moved beyond infrastructure:
"Sanitation is about everyday life. It's about whether a child can use a safe toilet at school. It's about whether a mother can live in a home free from bad smells... It's about whether families are protected from diseases like diarrhea and cholera. And this is not a luxury, it's a right."
"I Am Your Voice"
On SaniBook's role, PS Muthoni was unequivocal about the problem it solves:
"The problem is that much of the good work is not written down. It's not shared, it's not counted. And when it is not counted, it is not easy to ignore, hard to support, and difficult to scale."
She positioned herself as the advocate for documented evidence at policy tables where practitioners cannot sit:
"I have spoken to a lot of partners, and I have told them, I am your voice, because when you give me data, when you give me information, when I get to that table where you're not, I'm your sports person."
Data, Data, Data
"When it is not counted, it is not easy to ignore, hard to support, and difficult to scale. So when you put it down, then it leaves a mark, because it can move from one place to the other."
She outlined SaniBook's practical value in three functions:
Stopping repeated mistakes: Learning from what doesn't work
Growing what works: Scaling proven solutions
Attracting funding: "Evidence attracts investment and partnerships. You cannot escape that."
PS Muthoni acknowledged the devolved nature of health services under Kenya's 2010 Constitution and the imperative for collaboration with county governments, private sector, and communities, all "guided by evidence, data, data, data."
Her threefold repetition of "data" underscored that evidence-based decision making is non-negotiable for transforming the sector.
The Official Launch and Signing Ceremony
"Let Us Celebrate Together"
Following the keynote addresses, the event moved to its ceremonial climax. The host invited all participants to gather around the front of the room, creating an inclusive moment where the entire ecosystem stood together.
"As we're about to launch it, you can stand wherever you are. If you want to come here, you can come so that you can celebrate together."
The moderator added with humor: "All the energy that you are left with, I want us to use it here, because after this, we are going to refresh."
The Unveiling: 3... 2... 1...
As Principal Secretary Ng'eno and Principal Secretary Muthoni positioned themselves for the unveiling, anticipation built in the room.
"In 3... 2... 1... let us celebrate as we launch the SaniBook."
The two Principal Secretaries jointly unveiled the first physical edition of SaniBook Kenya, pulling away the covering to reveal the book that would serve as both symbol and tool of the new unified approach. The room erupted in celebratory applause, marking the transition from years of planning to tangible action.
"Now Up for Your Participation"
Elizabeth Wambui, Founder and CEO of WASH Voice, addressed the gathering immediately after the unveiling, emphasizing the platform's living, participatory nature:
"SaniBook is now up for your participation."
She acknowledged that while the initial edition contained substantial content, the platform was designed to grow.
"Going forward, everybody is invited to participate in the SaniBook."
This open invitation extended to all stakeholders to contribute their evidence, innovations, and lessons learned.
The Signing: From Words to Written Commitment
The ceremonial moment then became a formal commitment as the two Principal Secretaries signed partnership documents, pledging their ministries' ongoing collaboration with WASH Voice on the SaniBook initiative.
This signing transformed verbal commitments into written accountability, cementing high-level government ownership beyond the launch event.
Vote of Thanks: The Sector's Pledge
"Those Who Mentor Become Your Mentor"
The final formal address was a vote of thanks delivered by Eng. Kamau, Managing Director of Murang'a Water and Sanitation Company (MUWASCO), which transcended ceremonial gratitude to become a statement of the sector's collective commitment.
Eng. Kamau opened with warm, personal remarks that illustrated the deep professional relationships enabling the sector's transformation. Speaking of a colleague:
"He found me in the sector. I did not harass him. I mentored him. But I can assure you, sometimes, as you go along in your life, those who mentor become your mentor."
This exchange revealed the intergenerational, non-hierarchical ethos that has allowed Kenya's sanitation community to coalesce despite historical fragmentation.
"Collective Action Is No Longer an Option, But Essential"
He expressed profound gratitude to the two Principal Secretaries:
"Your leadership and participation affirms that sanitation sits at the intersection of environment, health and development, and that collective action is no longer an option, but it's essential."
Elizabeth's Resilience: "I Have Met People I Have Not Met for Three Years"
Eng. Kamau reserved special praise for Elizabeth Wambui's relentless drive in convening the sector.
"I must particularly thank Elizabeth... She happens to be very resilient. She has always convinced us. I can tell you I have met people I have not met for the last three years today because of that passion you have."
This testimony from a utility managing director validated Wambui's unique capacity to bridge divides and assemble stakeholders who had operated in silos.
He pledged the full support of the utility sector: "We will support this agenda to ensure that Kenya gets into the position it's supposed to get."
Carrying the Flag for Africa
Eng. Kamau then shared a point of national and continental pride:
"I happened to represent Africa in Canada last year as one of the best companies in terms of integrity, and I carried the flag for Africa."
He referenced MUWASCO's recognition at an international forum, connecting this achievement to Kenya's broader global positioning. This positioned Kenya's sanitation sector not as playing catch-up, but as capable of continental leadership.
The Operational Commitment
Addressing his peers in WASPA, Eng. Kamau made a clear operational commitment:
"We will work together, Elizabeth, to ensure that the utilities are able to utilize this book, and we're able to share the platform so that we can take the agenda of sanitation to where it's supposed to get."
This pledge from a leading utility managing director signaled that water companies would actively integrate SaniBook into their planning and operations, not treat it as a reference document to occasionally consult.
"I've Boarded the Plane to Singapore"
He concluded with a forward-looking and spirited call to action that became the event's rallying cry:
"I am a champion, and I've boarded the plane to Singapore. Those who are still booking the tickets ensure that you do it early."
This metaphor presenting the sanitation transformation journey as a flight that is departing now served as both invitation and challenge to the entire sector. Singapore represents the aspirational destination: a nation that transformed from developing-world to global leadership.
The message was clear: The early adopters have committed and are moving; those still deliberating risk being left behind.
The Major Announcement: A National WASH Conference
The Second National Convening
Embedded within PS Ng'eno's keynote came the key announcement for the sector's immediate future. He confirmed plans for a dedicated National Sanitation Conference, noting it would be the second such national convening and a critical next step for sustained focus beyond the launch.
"I'm happy that you have a conference dedicated specifically so that will be the second sanitation conference."
The Accountability Forum
The conference will provide the forum for:
Reporting progress on SaniBook population and utilization
Presenting county-level sanitation strategies modeled on Nakuru's success
Showcasing innovations that have been validated through the platform
Securing financial commitments from development partners and private investors armed with the evidence SaniBook provides
Antony Kirochi's appeal that both Principal Secretaries "participate fully" in the conference signals sector expectations that this will be a high-level, decision-making forum, not a talking shop.
Continental Context and Strategic Timing
2026: The AU Year for Water and Sanitation
The event gained additional strategic significance with a revelation from African Renaissance. A representative announced that 2026 is the African Union Year for Water and Sanitation, with heads of state set to launch the initiative imminently.
"This year, 2026 is going to be a very special year at the African Union... we will be part of the launch of the African Union for water and sanitation that will take place for the entire year 2026."
Kenya as Continental Model
This continental designation positions Kenya's SaniBook launch as perfectly timed to serve as a potential model for African Union member states. If the platform successfully demonstrates impact in Kenya throughout 2026, the AU Year for Water and Sanitation, it could be exported as continental digital infrastructure for sanitation knowledge management, with Kenya positioned as the reference implementation.
The timing also creates opportunities for Kenya to access AU-coordinated financing and technical support specifically allocated for sanitation during this thematic year.
Strategic Priorities: The Roadmap Forward
Five Pillars for Transformation
The presentation materials outlined five strategic priorities that will guide implementation:
1. Climate Sanitation: Documenting current population using services/safely managed sanitation
Establishing the comprehensive baseline that has never existed, essential for both national planning and climate finance applications.
2. Households with government accountability, refreshes including soap and water
Focusing on the basic hygiene access where only 48% of households currently have handwashing facilities.
3. Infrastructure: Increasing sanitation coverage, replicating the observed
Scaling proven models documented in SaniBook across counties, moving from the current 15% sewer coverage.
4. Develop sustainable financing mechanisms and solutions
Creating the evidence base and validation frameworks that unlock both public investment and private capital.
5. Transform policy to reality, returning that national standards mandate more durable improvements
Bridging the persistent gap between high-level policies and community-level implementation through documented, bankable solutions.
The Framework: Ecosystem for Action
Three-Part Operational Architecture
The entire dialogue validated a three-part operational framework for the sector that emerged organically from the discussions:
1. Map the Value Chain
Making all actors and solutions visible across the complete sanitation journey, as demonstrated by the documentation of innovations like SATO's handwashing device that scaled to 500,000+ units by meeting communities where they were.
2. Validate for Context
Turning pilots into bankable, replicable solutions through rigorous documentation of what works where, as seen with SATO's toilet pans and container-based sanitation services reaching 100,000+ installations through proven partnership models.
3. Orchestrate for Scale
Actively connecting validated solutions to policy frameworks and financing mechanisms, exemplified by the lunch itself which convened ministries, utilities, regulators, and innovators in a unified space for the first time.
Post-Event Interviews: The 254 Report
Following the launch, The 254 Report conducted in-depth interviews with key stakeholders to explore the deeper implications of SaniBook and the path forward.
Elizabeth Wambui, WASH Voice: "From Data Darkness to Continental Transformation"
The Coordination Crisis That Sparked SaniBook
In an exclusive interview, Elizabeth Wambui, Founder and CEO of WASH Voice, revealed the specific accountability crisis that catalyzed the SaniBook initiative.
"Only 36% of the citizens are on safe sanitation. We do not lack technology, and what we lack is duplication. And where we lack duplication is because nobody knows who is working where, everyone is working in silos."
She traced the platform's genesis to the Sanitation Accountability Symposium in April 2025, where actors voiced a common frustration: "There is no coordination, and many of the innovations that happen happen in specific areas and are not replicated."
The Private Sector Dilemma: Innovation Without Evidence
Wambui identified a specific market failure that SaniBook addresses:
"Private sector were also feeling they have no basis when they come to innovating in sanitation, because they are not able to learn from what is existing and what is working. So many times they spend a lot of money, but the innovations don't work."
By mapping the innovations that are working and analyzing their characteristics, SaniBook enables peer-to-peer learning, helps innovators align with user needs and environmental contexts, and makes innovations replicable.
The SDG Data Gap: Kenya's Invisible Progress
Wambui revealed a critical flaw in Kenya's SDG reporting that SaniBook corrects:
"We are coming to the end of SDGs in 2030. If you look at the reports that the government is doing in terms of sanitation, they are only looking at the expedition that has been done by government, and they are not looking at the expedition that is being done by other players, and that way, we are not giving the correct information on the coverage of sanitation."
This gap undermines Kenya's ability to accurately measure progress toward SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
Four Reasons Why Now
Wambui outlined why 2026 is the inflection point:
Peer-to-peer learning enabled by documented successes
Replication of technologies and innovations across counties
Private sector activation through reduced uncertainty
Accurate SDG performance measurement capturing all actors, not just government
The Bungoma School Case: When Resources Meet Wrong Technology
Wambui shared a powerful field example of how lack of information wastes resources:
"We were doing WASH in schools in Bungoma early last year, and when we went to the school, the school did not have a problem with resources, because teachers and staff and students and parents were willing to fund the sanitation. Unfortunately, they only knew one technology, pit latrines, which was a problem to them."
The school's challenge: high water levels and frequent rain meant pit latrines collapsed every two years, forcing costly replacements.
"If they knew there are other technologies that exist, if there was a SaniBook existing where they would have made preferences, probably they would have not invested so much on the toilet pit latrines that would not sustain them. They would have probably adapted other technologies."
This led to unsafe structures, including the tragic case of a child killed when a school toilet collapsed in Western Kenya. SaniBook prevents such failures by matching technologies to topographies and environmental conditions.
From Kenya to Africa: The Continental Vision
Asked about SaniBook as a continental model during the AU Year for Water and Sanitation, Wambui was unequivocal:
"It will be the boom, because we'll not be talking about isolation. We'll not be talking about silos in sanitation management. We'll be talking about a resource where everyone can learn from each other."
She outlined the continental value proposition:
For governments: Comprehensive sector data "not at individual level, but at the sector level" for budgeting, resourcing, policymaking, and decision-making
For practitioners: Open documentation eliminating the need for government to search for scattered information
For the AU: A proven digital infrastructure model that other member states can adopt
"SaniBook now starts in Kenya, but I can tell you, by the end of the AU year, it will be an African book."
Caroline Kwamboka N., African Renaissance Trust: "Gender Equality and the 700 Million Without Safe Sanitation"
Caroline Kwamboka N., Trustee and Director at African Renaissance Trust, brought the gender and policy dimension to the SaniBook launch, connecting it to continental advocacy work.
The Organization's Mission
"My name is Caroline. I am a trustee and director at the African Renaissance Trust. African Renaissance works to advance gender equality, health equity and socio-economic justice across Africa."
With 22+ years focus on gender equality, Caroline positioned SaniBook within the broader framework of social inclusion.
Children and Youth: The Most Marginalized
Asked about the gender impacts of Kenya's 64% gap in safely managed sanitation, Caroline identified the most vulnerable populations:
"Children and youth are one of the most marginalized populations when it comes to accessing sanitation, and when we look at the ratio, we find that girls and populations that are living with challenges really suffer most."
This aligns with the audience question at the launch about child-friendly public toilets, a gap that disproportionately affects girls' school attendance and retention.
The Continental Policy Gap: 700 Million Without Access
Caroline outlined the massive scale of Africa's sanitation crisis:
"Across Africa, more than 700 million citizens miss access to safe sanitation services, and this includes access to toilets. This includes lack of access to safe sanitation."
From Policy to Practice: The Missing Link
Asked about the biggest policy gaps preventing sanitation from getting the same priority as water, Caroline identified three critical failures:
"The challenge we have with sanitation across the continent is really an absence of policy guidelines. We have a challenge with the guidelines that translate even the existing policies into practice. And we also have a great challenge of ensuring that well-intended policies are funded or financed to meet the needs of the key populations."
African Renaissance and the AU: Gender-Responsive Sanitation
"African Renaissance is working closely with the African Union to advance gender equality within sanitation policies. And what this really means is the consideration of the needs of women, gender, youth and even populations with special needs, those who may be marginalized or those who may be underserved."
The goal: Ensure "programs and policies are responsive to the needs of over 700 million Africans" currently without safe sanitation and toilet facilities.
This gender mainstreaming work positions SaniBook as a tool not just for documenting technologies, but for ensuring those technologies serve the most vulnerable populations.
Dr. Charles Oyaya, Development Institute Africa: "Policy Exists, Implementation Is the Challenge"
Dr. Charles Oyaya, Executive Director of Development Institute Africa, brought a policy architect's perspective to the SaniBook launch, having drafted Kenya's key sanitation policies over the past 15 years.
The Policy Architect's Credentials
"My name is Dr. Charles Oyaya. I'm the Executive Director of the Development Institute Africa, which is a research, consultancy and policy thought leadership institution based here in Nairobi. I have had the opportunity over the last almost 15 years to be involved in the development of various national policies and also county policies relating to sanitation."
SaniBook as the Missing Link
Dr. Oyaya identified SaniBook's unique contribution within the sanitation ecosystem:
"I want to congratulate WASH Voice for this watershed initiative, and I want to say that the SaniBook provides a very critical link within the overall sanitation marketplace or landscape, as far as three things are concerned:"
"Looking at the technology dimension across the value chain"
"Providing evidence for informing decisions"
"Bringing various actors together"
"And I must say, this is a critical contribution in the evolving space marketplace of sanitation in Kenya."
Agreeing with PS Ng'eno: Data Darkness, Not Innovation Gap
Asked whether he agreed with PS Ng'eno's assessment that "we do not suffer from a lack of innovation, we suffer from data darkness," Dr. Oyaya refined the diagnosis:
"I would put it differently, that yes, innovations and initiatives are there in terms of problems, and there are different players playing their role at different places, whether national, county level, but one key challenge, as the Principal Secretary Ng'eno mentioned, is basically the fragmentation."
"So this initiative provides that framework and that platform and that space for managing the different sources of data, and I believe it is going to help plug that gap."
The Nakuru Model: Why Good County Strategies Don't Spread
Dr. Oyaya provided insider knowledge on the Nakuru County Inclusive Sanitation Strategy referenced by PS Ng'eno:
"Various counties have actually visited Nakuru to learn from them, because they were also the first to create an institutional mechanism that brought different players within the sanitation space, different sectors together."
But he identified the critical barrier to replication:
"But one thing that must also be appreciated is the political dimension. All these things depend on the political goodwill, and when governments change, some traction is lost."
Despite political transitions, he noted: "I still believe that Nakuru is still on course in terms of implementation of its strategy, and a number of counties are very much aware of that, have gone to Nakuru."
SaniBook can help institutionalize successful models like Nakuru's beyond individual political cycles.
The Policy Landscape: What Exists, What's Missing
Dr. Oyaya outlined Kenya's current policy infrastructure:
What Exists:
Kenya Environmental Sanitation and Hygiene Policy (2016-2030)
Sessional Paper Number 1 of 2024 on National Sanitation Management Policy (published by Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation)
Proposed legislation on environmental health and sanitation (Ministry of Health)
The Critical Gap:
"But one thing that remains of importance and of critical agency is the amendment of the Water Act to provide robustly on sanitation matters, particularly non-sewer sanitation and the non-sewered aspect of the sanitation value chain."
Within the Ministry of Health, there is also proposed legislation on environmental health and sanitation that needs to be fast-tracked to contribute to mitigating implementation challenges, particularly regarding "integration and multi-sectorality as far as management of information is concerned."
The One Policy Reform That Would Unlock Implementation at Scale
Asked about the single policy reform that would unlock implementation at scale, Dr. Oyaya was clear:
"I think we have the policy... But one thing that remains of importance and of critical agency is the amendment of the Water Act to provide robustly on sanitation matters."
This legal reform would embed sanitation, particularly non-sewer solutions serving the majority of Kenyans, into the formal regulatory framework with the same rigor as piped water infrastructure.
Message to Stakeholders at the Coming Conference
Dr. Oyaya concluded with encouragement for stakeholders who will participate in the upcoming National WASH Conference:
"Over the last 10 to 15 years, the sanitation space has evolved and has gained traction, and I think it is important that we build on this very strong foundation that the Government of Kenya has put in place. As we speak, Kenya now is being looked up to by other countries in Africa, and I believe even other jurisdictions in the developing world as a showcase in terms of what should be done at the policy space."
However, he noted the critical work ahead:
"Having said that, there is still ongoing work that would need critical interventions to translate good policy intentions into practice and into impacting the life of Kenyans in the manner that is expected by the Constitution and the Sustainable Development Goals that we are committed to achieve by the year 2030."
Sam Langat, SATO: Innovation Demonstration and Human-Centered Design
Following the interviews, Sam Langat of SATO (LIXIL) provided a hands-on demonstration of the innovations that are driving sanitation transformation at scale.
The Self-Closing Toilet Pan: Behavior Change Through Design
Langat displayed the SATO toilet pan, explaining its human-centered design philosophy:
"This is a toilet pan. This goes to... this is installed on top of the hole in the pit latrine. So if you imagine this is the floor of the latrine, and this is the hole, this is what is installed."
The Innovation:
"What happens here is that when somebody relieves themselves, whether a short call or long call, it has a self-closing door. This is what makes it work, because one, it has a seal. That seal keeps away flies."
The Public Health Impact
Langat connected the simple mechanical innovation to profound health outcomes:
"What do flies do? When flies come out, it's what causes diseases, because this is what goes on to your table, goes onto your hands, then you get diseases like cholera or any communicable disease."
Reinforcing Good Human Behavior
The design addresses multiple barriers to toilet use:
"In terms of human behavior, people don't use toilets one, because they're afraid. Kids are afraid. So this closes the hole. Second thing is smell. With this you can have... I can talk to you, and the latrine is right next to you."
The innovation reinforces good human behavior by making toilets safe, odorless, and dignified to use.
Made in Kenya, For Kenya
Langat emphasized the local manufacturing advantage:
Price: KES 800 shillings to the household (wholesale price approximately KES 450-500)
Manufacturing: Made in Kenya in Nairobi, creating local jobs and economic value
Distribution: "Everything else is done by the communities... It creates jobs. It brings economic value to the traders and the retailers and then the guys who install, they make a living."
Scale Achieved
The numbers demonstrate proof of concept:
"In Kenya, we sell almost 100,000 toilets. It's the single largest toilet solution in the country. Think about it: 100,000 homes. That's how many estates? An estate has 200-300 houses. It's mind-blowing."
Design for Distribution
"The fact that it's plastic makes it easy to transport. It's stackable, so a full truck can ship more than 500 of this, making it cheap."
The KES 200 Handwashing Solution
Langat then demonstrated the handwashing device that scaled to 500,000+ units in one year.
The Community-Inspired Design:
"We looked at the community and said, what do people use today? Recycled bottles. They put a cup on it, they bore a hole, and they use it to wash their hands."
SATO refined this grassroots practice into a durable, affordable product:
How It Works:
Users fill a recycled 2-liter bottle with water
A counterweight mechanism allows the bottle to tip down when needed
Water drains into a cavity below
Hands are washed using the right amount of water
The bottle tips back up when released
Price: KES 200 maximum
COVID Response: Deployed as a rapid solution when handwashing became critical
The Sitting Toilet Solution
For households that prefer sitting toilets:
Price: KES 1,800
Installation: "Plug and play. You buy, install, and in two hours you're using it. Same technology."
Beyond Products: A Philosophy
Langat articulated SATO's broader approach:
"The value that I bring to the business is the innovation and the know-how. So that knowledge transfer is what I bring. Everything else is done by the communities."
Climate-Resilient Sanitation
He positioned the work within global climate frameworks:
"Lixil, the organization I work for, is a founder member of the Climate Resilient Sanitation Coalition. We're really looking at how can sanitation, what is the impact of sanitation and the interventions, and how can we play a role in shaping things right now so that we don't have to fix problems."
The Climate Challenge:
"Greenhouse gas is the biggest challenge with containment. You put all the waste in a hole, all those gases when they condense... whereas open defecation means there's no greenhouse gases because it's all over, but somebody is unwell, that's a risk for everybody getting diseases. So we have to contain, and we have to treat."
The Boxed Toilet: Next Innovation
Langat revealed SATO's next frontier:
"On the website, we have a huge portfolio. We're now boxing a toilet. We're trying to make a toilet to fit in a box that you can ship a toilet in a box and be able to just connect it and build a toilet from scratch."
This innovation would revolutionize rural and emergency sanitation deployment.
Durability and Sustainability
On plastic as a material choice:
"You can't go without plastic. Plastic is everywhere. The problem is single-use plastic, that's the killer. So this can last. This door can flap more than a million times. That's 30 years. The fact that it's not breakable and that it's not biodegradable means it can last, and that's what you need."
The Buy Kenya, Build Kenya Model
"This is made in Kenya. So that's the other thing. We're promoting by Kenya, build Kenya, buy Kenya."
The entire value chain, from manufacturing to installation, creates local economic opportunity while solving a global development challenge.
Looking Ahead: From Launch to Implementation
The Path to 2030
With only four years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, Kenya's sanitation sector now has:
The Platform: SaniBook as a unified knowledge management system
The Policy: Updated frameworks from both Environment and Health ministries
The Innovations: Proven, scalable technologies documented and validated
The Institutions: Utilities, regulators, and government aligned on collective action
The Financing Framework: Evidence base for attracting public and private investment
The Continental Moment: 2026 as the AU Year for Water and Sanitation
Success Metrics for Year One
Elizabeth Wambui outlined what success looks like for SaniBook in one year:
"Most of the areas that are not covered, we would say, is because they have no working technologies or innovations. This is not because they lack in the market. It is because the people there do not know what to use."
The platform's success will be measured by:
Documented solutions mapped to specific topographies and contexts
Reduced resource waste as communities select appropriate technologies the first time
Private sector activation through reduced uncertainty and validated business models
Accurate SDG reporting capturing all actors' contributions
The sanitation transformation journey has departed. The National WASH Conference will serve as the first accountability checkpoint, where the sector will report progress, celebrate early wins, and course-correct where needed.
From Silos to Ecosystem
The January 22, 2026 launch at Trademark Hotel will be remembered not for the book unveiled, but for the ecosystem activated. For the first time in Kenya's sanitation history, every stakeholder sat in the same room, signed the same commitment, and departed with the same platform.
The question is no longer whether Kenya can achieve universal sanitation.
The question is how fast the sector can move from data darkness to documented solutions, from fragmented innovations to scaled impact, from policy intentions to lived reality for the 64% of Kenyans still waiting for safely managed sanitation.
SaniBook Kenya is now live. The National WASH Conference is announced. The plane to Singapore has departed.
The transformation has begun.
For more information on SaniBook Kenya or to contribute innovations to the platform, stakeholders can contact WASH Voice or visit the platform online.
The National Sanitation Conference date and venue will be announced by the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation in coordination with the State Departments for Environment and Climate Change and Public Health and Professional Standards.
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