Co operative Bank of Kenya has disbursed Ksh 4.39 billion towards water and sanitation projects since 2023. The amount, recorded by August 2026, exceeded the original financing target by Ksh 1.39 billion.
The achievement reflects growing scope for commercial lending to support essential infrastructure. It also places the bank’s partnership with Water.org among Kenya’s financing initiatives for expanding access to basic services.
The programme began in 2023 through a partnership between the bank and Water.org, an international nonprofit organisation. Its three year implementation period targets improved access to water, sanitation and hygiene services, collectively known as WASH.
The partners initially targeted more than Ksh 3 billion in financing. They also aimed to improve access for more than 110,000 people across Kenya. By August 2026, the reported disbursements had exceeded the original financial target.
The financing milestone comes as water infrastructure remains essential to household welfare and commercial activity. Inadequate access can increase operating costs for businesses and consume valuable time for households. Financing can help borrowers acquire equipment without meeting the entire upfront expense themselves. The programme therefore offers a mechanism for directing commercial capital towards infrastructure and services that support communities and local enterprises.
On Friday, October 16, the bank received the Leadership in Water Infrastructure and Finance Award in Nairobi. The Africa WaterCredits Forum 2026 recognised its financing for water enterprises, infrastructure and service providers.
The forum brought together financial institutions, water utilities, development partners and other stakeholders. Discussions focused on expanding commercial investment in water and sanitation across Africa. The award places the bank’s lending activity within broader efforts to improve infrastructure financing.
The bank’s A Maji product finances water supply and sanitation infrastructure across several asset categories. Eligible assets include water tanks, solar pumps, water connections, exhausters, bowsers and smart meters.
The product serves individual borrowers, micro, small and medium sized enterprises, and institutions. This range gives households, businesses and service providers access to financing for equipment and infrastructure. Such investment can help expand supply capacity and improve the delivery of water services.
“Innovative financing is essential to turn infrastructure ambitions into delivered services,” said Dr Gideon Muriuki, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Co operative Bank Group.
He described reliable water and sanitation as one of Kenya’s pressing development priorities.
Muriuki also linked A Maji to the bank’s longstanding focus on inclusive growth and community livelihoods. His remarks point to commercial finance as a potential complement to public spending and development funding.
The economic benefits depend partly on whether financed assets improve service reliability and operational efficiency. Solar pumps can reduce dependence on conventional electricity, while smart meters can improve billing accuracy and revenue collection.
More dependable water supplies can also help businesses control costs and reduce household collection time. For water providers, stronger revenue collection can support maintenance and ongoing operations.
The Ksh 4.39 billion disbursed establishes a clear financing milestone, although funding alone cannot confirm lasting improvements in access. Future assessment will depend on beneficiary reach, affordability, repayment performance and the reliability of services delivered.
