Why symbolic public participation is costing Kenya’s water sector

Kenya’s economic growth increasingly depends on something often taken for granted: reliable water systems. From irrigated agriculture and manufacturing to real estate and energy generation, many sectors rely on stable water infrastructure.

Yet across the country, water projects frequently face delays, disputes and operational failures—problems that often stem not from engineering challenges but from weak governance and limited public oversight. For businesses and investors, these governance gaps create a form of hidden infrastructure risk.