By Issa Hussein - Reporter
Kenya, 16 June 2026 - The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) has called on the government and stakeholders to intensify efforts to ensure every child in Kenya has access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services, warning that persistent inequalities continue to expose millions of children to health and safety risks.
In a statement issued on Tuesday to mark the Day of the African Child, NGEC said access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) is a fundamental child right and a critical foundation for health, education, dignity, protection and equality.
This year's Day of the African Child is being commemorated under the theme, “Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa.”
The commission noted that while Kenya has made progress in expanding access to WASH services through investments in water infrastructure, school sanitation programmes and policy reforms, significant gaps remain, particularly in rural areas, informal settlements and Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).
According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, about 68 percent of Kenya's population has access to at least basic drinking water services. However, access drops to 56 percent in rural areas. Basic sanitation coverage stands at 41 percent, while only about half of the population has access to basic handwashing facilities with soap and water.
NGEC said many schools and communities continue to struggle with inadequate access to safe drinking water, clean toilets, handwashing facilities and menstrual hygiene support. Children living in informal settlements face additional challenges, including overcrowding, shared sanitation facilities, poor drainage systems and safety concerns.
The commission further warned that climate-related disasters such as droughts and floods are disrupting water supply systems and sanitation services in ASAL counties and other vulnerable regions, increasing risks to children's health, safety and dignity.
"These gaps disproportionately affect girls, children with disabilities, children from poor households, minority and marginalized communities, refugee and displaced children, and those affected by droughts, floods and other emergencies," the statement said.
NGEC emphasized that access to clean water and sanitation is protected under international and regional human rights frameworks, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
The commission also cited constitutional protections guaranteeing every person the right to clean and safe water in adequate quantities and reasonable standards of sanitation, as well as children's rights to health care, nutrition, education and protection.
To address existing challenges, NGEC urged the government to prioritize the provision of safe drinking water in schools and child-care institutions, improve sanitation infrastructure, and ensure facilities are accessible to children with disabilities.
The commission further called for increased budget allocations for child-focused WASH programmes, especially in rural areas, informal settlements, ASAL counties, refugee camps and communities affected by climate-related disasters.
Other recommendations include strengthening coordination among sectors responsible for water, health, education, children's services and climate change, promoting child participation in identifying WASH challenges and integrating water and sanitation services into emergency response plans.
NGEC Chairperson Rehema Jaldesa said coordinated and sustainable action is necessary to ensure no child is left behind in accessing essential WASH services.
"The National Gender and Equality Commission reaffirms its commitment to promoting gender equality, freedom from discrimination and inclusion for all children in Kenya," she said.
The Day of the African Child is commemorated annually on June 16 to reflect on the state of children's rights across the continent and renew commitments to addressing barriers affecting their survival, development, protection and participation.
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