Director Lauds KEWI–Wilo Partnership; Attributes it to Institute’s Rising Technical Excellence and Human Capacity Development
BY: Pius Kimani
The Kenya Water Institute (KEWI) has reaffirmed its strong partnership with Wilo SE, marking a milestone in public–private collaboration for sustainable water management and technical capacity building in Africa. Speaking during the Wilo SE AMEA Reception at the German Ambassador’s Residence in Nairobi, KEWI Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Leiro Letangule, EBS, expressed gratitude to Wilo SE, the German Embassy, and the German Business Association for their continued partnership and collaboration with the institute. He noted that the KEWI–Wilo partnership exemplifies how the private sector and public training institutions can work together to advance sustainable water management and strengthen technical expertise amid challenges posed by climate variability and resource scarcity.
Since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in January 2024, the partnership has made significant strides in training, technology transfer, and innovation at KEWI. Through this collaboration, KEWI has established and re-equipped an Energy Efficiency Workshop, which now serves as a regional hub for hands-on training in pump systems, energy audits, and solar-powered pumping solutions. The facility supports water utilities, private sector practitioners, and students through KEWI’s modularized curriculum, bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practical application. This approach has gained recognition from the Director-General of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), who commended the model and encouraged its adoption across other TVET institutions in Kenya.
The tangible outcomes of the KEWI–Wilo partnership are already evident. The collaboration has enhanced capacity building and training, equipping technicians, plumbers, and engineers with essential skills in pump testing, calibration, and system optimization—skills that directly improve the efficiency and reliability of Kenya’s water utilities. In terms of technological advancement, Wilo has introduced a fully functional pumping system model in KEWI’s laboratory, enabling students to study water flow dynamics, pressure systems, and energy efficiency across various system components. This practical exposure has transformed how students and professionals approach the concept of energy-efficient pumping.
Beyond training and technology, the partnership has also fostered professional growth among KEWI staff. Through Wilo’s support, KEWI personnel have participated in international conferences and regional workshops, such as a recent event in Ethiopia, thereby broadening their global outlook and strengthening institutional expertise. The collaboration is also nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship among students through the proposed Waterpreneurship Development Hub, which is designed to promote creative solutions for water access, energy efficiency, and community resilience.
In addition, the partnership has expanded KEWI’s capacity for outreach and consultancy. Through energy efficiency training programs, KEWI is supporting government initiatives such as the SHIRIKA Plan under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) by building the capacity of host water utilities, training youth and refugees on solar-powered water pumping systems and promoting employability and entrepreneurship within the water sector.
This collaboration aligns closely with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 7 on Affordable and Clean Energy. It demonstrates how public–private partnerships can deliver transformative results through technology transfer, capacity building, and the development of practical solutions that benefit both public institutions and private enterprises. The KEWI–Wilo model has also inspired other private sector stakeholders to engage with KEWI, opening new opportunities for dialogue, innovation, and sectoral advancement.
Dr. Letangule reaffirmed KEWI’s commitment to deepening its collaboration with Wilo SE and expanding this successful model to other counties and institutions across the region. He emphasized that the partnership is not only about training individuals but also about building future-ready water professionals and shaping a more sustainable, energy-efficient future for Kenya and beyond. In his closing remarks, he extended heartfelt appreciation to Wilo SE for its trust, investment, and visionary partnership, which have elevated KEWI’s institutional capacity, strengthened its programs, and set a benchmark for excellence in the water sector. He concluded with a call for continued collaboration, innovation, and empowerment in pursuit of a shared sustainable water future.