WATSAN 2026
WELCOME TO
5th National Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) Skills Competition 2026
Theme: Skills and Innovation for Resilient Water and Sanitation Futures
Dates
23rd–27th November 2026
Venue
KEWI Main Campus, Nairobi
Anchor Event
38th KEWI Graduation Ceremony, 27th November
About the Competition
The Kenya Water Institute (KEWI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation (MWSI), Water and Sanitation Providers Association (WASPA), Women in Water and Sanitation Association (WIWAS), Water Service Providers, training institutions, industry and other stakeholders, is organizing the 5th National Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) Skills Competition 2026.
It is a national platform for demonstrating practical competence, innovation, professional excellence and industry relevance in the water and sanitation sector.
The competition will progressively align with the WorldSkills approach through occupational standards, practical test projects, industry relevance, transparent assessment and continuous improvement. It will strengthen linkages among WSPs, training institutions and industry and promote Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET).
Objectives
- Demonstrate and assess practical competencies in water and sanitation operations
- Benchmark sector skills against national and international best practices
- Promote innovation, creativity and technological application
- Identify and recognize outstanding water and sanitation talent
- Promote safe, efficient and environmentally sustainable work practices
- Enhance participation of women and youth in technical careers
- Generate recommendations for continuous improvement of skills development
- Foster collaboration among WSPs, learning institutions, industry and partners
Competition Areas
- Water Treatment
- Jar testing
- Coagulation
- Flocculation
- Filtration
- Process control
- Water Quality
- Sampling
- Laboratory analysis
- QA/QC
- Interpretation of results
- Water Distribution
- Leak detection
- Network operation
- Maintenance
- Sanitation & Wastewater
- Sewered and non-sewered sanitation
- Wastewater treatment
- Effluent monitoring
- Plumbing & Metering
- Installation
- Repair
- Testing
- Maintenance
- Chlorination & Water Safety
- Chlorine dosing
- Residual chlorine
- Disinfection
- Safety
- Non-Revenue Water
- Water losses
- Metering
- Leak detection
- NRW management
- Innovation, Creativity & Technology
- Innovative solutions to sector challenges
- Digital & Simulation Skills
- Digital tools
- Simulation technologies
Who can participate
Who can participate
- Technical and operational staff of Water Service Providers, including engineers and technicians
- Universities and other institutions of higher learning
- TVET institutions, colleges and other learning institutions
- Senior and junior schools, in suitable innovation and demonstration categories
- Other eligible sector institutions, professionals and emerging technicians
Each participating team or category nominates two (2) participants and one technical expert.
How it works
How it works
- Call for participation
- Registration
- Pre-qualification and selection
- Technical briefing
- Practical competition
- Assessment and scoring
- Verification of results
- Awards and recognition
- Post-competition review
How entries are assessed
How entries are assessed
Competitors are assessed against standardized, competency-based criteria:
- Technical competence and practical performance
- Accuracy and quality of work
- Occupational health and safety
- Innovation and problem-solving
- Time management
- Teamwork and professionalism
- Adherence to procedures
Independent judges and assessors are appointed and oriented to ensure fairness, consistency, transparency and credibility.
Pathway to WorldSkills
Pathway to WorldSkills
The competition is progressively aligning with the WorldSkills approach, using occupational standards, practical test projects, clear assessment criteria and independent assessment.
Pathway: institutional and sector competitions, then the National WATSAN Skills Competition, then national benchmarking and talent identification, then WorldSkills Africa and WorldSkills International opportunities. Participation is coordinated through the WorldSkills Kenya national member arrangements.
What the competition delivers
What the competition delivers
- A national platform for water and sanitation skills development
- Improved practical competencies and recognition of outstanding talent
- Greater innovation and technology adoption, with an innovation exhibition
- Stronger partnerships between industry and training institutions
- Greater visibility of women and youth in the sector
- Recommendations for curriculum and workplace skills
Partners and sponsorship
Partners and sponsorship
The competition is a collaboration among the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, KEWI, WASPA, WIWAS, Water Service Providers, training institutions, development partners and the private sector.
Partnership opportunities include technology, institutional support, branding, media and communication, and gender inclusivity.
For registration and partnership enquiries, contact KEWI.