The Kenya Water and Sanitation Civil Society Network is the National Network of Water Civil Society Organizations in Kenya. The Network was established in August 2007 and registered as a society in August 2010
KEWASNET envisions a society with sustainable universal access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene. The Network's mission therefore is to work towards promoting good governance in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector. In order for KEWASNET to achieve this, it has strongly embraced on the values of Partnership and Collaboration, Innovation, Integrity, Professionalism, Respect and Accountability.
KEWASNET provides a linkage between Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Water Resources Management (WRM) utilities and users by facilitating partnerships between policymakers and stakeholders, and encouraging equitable participation by all parties in governance and decision making mechanisms.
The Network keenly focuses on four key strategic objectives that form its pillars of success as it works towards promoting good governance in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector. KEWASNET therefore seeks to enhance the capacity of members and partners in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector, the Network also works towards ensuring the existence and improvement of policy environment and practices in WASH / WRM. Through Coordination and Networking KEWASNET seeks to have a strengthened CSO coordination for effective sector Engagement and to effectively enhance institutional development and sustainability.
KEWASNET deepens its work by building partnerships at various levels. At the community level, KEWASNET works with CSOs to implement initiatives aimed at the vision of KEWASNET; speak against WASH rights viola-tions and build CSO action to demand greater access to water and sanitation for all.
At the national level, KEWASNET works with the government to ensure that the WASH sector is well governed and that the rights of the people are upheld. KEWASNET also works with the private sector to ensure that the sector is well regulated and that the private sector is accountable to the people.
The Network applies itself to areas of its competitive advantages and areas stipulated under the partnership with the State as it lends support to other state authorities.
Globally, KEWASNET has been at the forefront on engaging with international organizations in the WASH sector to ensure that it plays a prime role in ensuring the Sustainable Development Goals and in particular SDG 6 is achieved. Currently KEWASNET acts as the Secretariat of African Civil Society Network on Sanitation (ANEW). The Network has also been entrusted with a leadership role in the SDG task team of End Water Poverty (EWP) coalition. KEWASNET is also currently engaged with Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) as country focal point and regional representative in the steering committee through its CEO.
KEWASNET therefore strongly values strategic partnerships with stake-holders in the WASH/WRM sector. The Network believes this will ultimately play a fundamental role in influencing good governance in the sector and will eventually enhance the realization of access to Water and Sanitation for all.
