KEWI and Confederation of Danish Industry Review Progress of Sector Partnership Agreement Project
BY: Pius Kimani
The Confederation of Danish Industry Finance Delegation paid a courtesy call to the CEO of the Kenya Water Institute (KEWI), Dr. Leiro Letangule EBS, on 11th March at KEWI’s main campus in Nairobi, in a meeting that underscored the growing collaboration between the two institutions under the Sector Partnership Agreement (SPA) programme. The visit provided a platform to review achievements under SPA II and explore opportunities for deepening engagement in support of Kenya’s water sector.
During the meeting, both KEWI leadership and the Danish delegation reflected on the impact of their partnership in strengthening skills development, enhancing institutional capacity, and advancing professional training for water sector professionals. A key highlight of the engagement was an interactive session with students benefiting from the programme. Several scholarship recipients shared how the SPA initiative has enabled them to access quality technical education, excel academically, and prepare to contribute meaningfully to Kenya’s water sector workforce.
“These students represent the future of our water sector. Their technical expertise will be instrumental in tackling water and sanitation challenges across the country,” Dr. Letangule noted.
The delegation also reviewed major milestones achieved under SPA II. KEWI has been accredited as a qualification-awarding institution and a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment centre, while training capacity has been strengthened through international knowledge exchange and Training of Trainers (ToT) programmes. These initiatives have enabled KEWI instructors to enhance their technical expertise and adopt global best practices, further improving the quality of professional training offered at the institute.
The SPA partnership has also supported the installation of practical training infrastructure, expanded awareness and adoption of green technologies, and fostered stronger collaboration between KEWI, industry stakeholders, and local communities. These achievements have laid the foundation for more coordinated efforts aimed at advancing sustainable water management and climate adaptation strategies across Kenya.
Looking ahead, both parties expressed optimism for SPA III. A key focus will be expanding the RPL certification system to recognize the skills of experienced technicians and practitioners, thereby enhancing career progression and professional standards within the sector. SPA III will also prioritize training and research in emerging water technologies, including desalination and wastewater treatment, while strengthening partnerships with water utilities and private sector employers to promote applied research and work-based learning opportunities.
Digital innovation will play a central role in SPA III, with blended learning approaches combining physical training with online platforms. This will expand access to technical education, improve flexibility for learners, and modernize the delivery of water sector training. The next phase will also emphasize green technologies and sustainable water solutions, promoting environmentally friendly practices that support resource efficiency, climate adaptation, and community-level adoption of sustainable technologies.
Finally, SPA III will strengthen monitoring, evaluation, and impact tracking frameworks to ensure measurable outcomes and long-term development of a skilled, resilient workforce. Both KEWI and the Danish delegation reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the partnership, recognizing that strategic collaboration, scholarships, and professional training are critical to building a workforce capable of driving innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence in Kenya’s water sector.
“Our partnership with KEWI is more than training—it is about equipping a generation of professionals to lead the sector toward resilience, sustainability, and innovation,” said a delegation representative.
The visit concluded with mutual satisfaction over the progress achieved and a shared vision for the next phase of collaboration, setting the stage for continued growth, knowledge exchange, and impact in Kenya’s water sector.