OPINION: Water, sanitation and hygiene - Why every child deserves better

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

OPINION: Water, sanitation and hygiene - Why every child deserves better

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By CPA Carren Ageng’o

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) are often seen as infrastructure issues, yet for a child they determine survival, health, education, dignity and overall development. This is strongly reflected in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, which seeks to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

In recognition of

this global commitment and the central role of WASH in child protection and

welfare, the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child

designated the theme for the 2026 Day of the African Child as “Ensuring

Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa.”

The theme is a

call to action for governments, development partners, communities and families

to accelerate efforts towards universal access to safe water, sanitation and

hygiene for all children. In Kenya, this important annual celebration was

launched in Marsabit County on June 9, 2026 with the National Rally scheduled

to take place in Homa Bay County on June 16, 2026

The Constitution

of Kenya guarantees every child the right to the highest attainable standard of

health, education, dignity and protection. These rights cannot be fully

realized while millions of children still lack access to safe water and

sanitation. Kenya’s commitment to the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare

of the Child and the Sustainable Development Goals further reinforces the

obligation to ensure that no child is left behind in accessing basic WASH

services.

The reality facing

many Kenyan children, however, remains sobering. According to the Kenya

Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022, only 68 per cent of Kenyans have

access to at least basic drinking water services, while just 41 per cent have

access to basic sanitation services. Only 51 per cent of the population has

access to a basic handwashing facility with soap and water. More concerning is

that 54 per cent of households do not have drinking water on their premises and

must travel to collect it. In most cases, this burden falls on women and girls,

who account for nearly seven out of every ten water collectors.

Behind these

statistics are millions of children whose rights and opportunities are

compromised daily. A child who drinks unsafe water is exposed to diarrhoeal

diseases, cholera, typhoid and intestinal infections. Recurrent illness leads

to absenteeism from school, poor nutrition and impaired cognitive development.

UNICEF estimates that improved water, sanitation and hygiene services could

prevent approximately 297,000 deaths of children under five globally each year

from diarrhoeal diseases alone.

The sanitation

challenge is equally serious. UNICEF reports that about 9.9 million Kenyans

still depend on contaminated surface water sources for their daily needs, while

an estimated five million people continue to practice open defecation. These

conditions expose children to constant risk of disease, poor environmental

hygiene and compromised health outcomes. Without urgent intervention, these

challenges will continue to undermine child survival and development outcomes.

For school-going

children, inadequate WASH facilities directly affect learning. A child who is

sick cannot learn effectively, while schools without reliable water supply

cannot maintain basic hygiene standards. Girls are particularly affected where

schools lack adequate menstrual hygiene facilities, leading to absenteeism,

stigma and in some cases school dropout. The result is reduced participation in

education and long-term inequality in learning outcomes.

Children with

disabilities face even greater barriers. Many water points, toilets and

handwashing facilities are not designed to be accessible, making it difficult

for them to use such services safely, independently and with dignity. In

schools and institutions, this often results in dependence on caregivers,

missed learning opportunities and increased social exclusion. Inaccessible WASH

infrastructure also heightens vulnerability to health risks and undermines

inclusion. Ensuring universal access to WASH therefore requires deliberate

investment in inclusive infrastructure that guarantees dignity and equal

opportunity for every child.

Poor WASH services

also present significant child protection concerns. Children, especially girls,

are often forced to travel long distances in search of water, exposing them to

risks of violence, exploitation and neglect. Time spent collecting water is

time lost from learning, rest, play and other activities essential for healthy

development. In this way, inadequate WASH services undermine not only health

and education, but also the safety and protection of children.

Encouragingly,

Kenya has made notable progress in expanding access to water services over the

years. Government programmes, county initiatives and support from development

partners have contributed to improved infrastructure and increased coverage in

many parts of the country. However, the pace of progress must be accelerated if

we are to achieve SDG 6 and ensure universal access to safe water, sanitation

and hygiene by 2030.

The 2026 Day of

the African Child therefore presents a renewed opportunity for collective

action. National and county governments must continue prioritizing

child-sensitive WASH investments. Schools, health facilities, childcare

institutions and vulnerable communities must remain at the centre of these

interventions. Development partners, civil society and the private sector must

strengthen support for innovative, climate-resilient and sustainable WASH

solutions, particularly in underserved and drought-prone regions.

Communities and

families also have a critical role to play. Sustainable WASH outcomes depend

not only on infrastructure, but also on behaviour change. Practices such as

handwashing with soap, safe water storage, proper sanitation and environmental

cleanliness must become part of everyday life. Children, as agents of change,

should be empowered to lead hygiene promotion in schools and communities.

The measure of our

progress as a nation is reflected in how well we protect our children. When a

child has access to clean water, safe sanitation and good hygiene, we do more

than prevent disease—we unlock opportunities for learning, dignity, health and

prosperity.

As we commemorate

the Day of the African Child 2026, let us commit to ensuring that no child in

Kenya is left behind. Universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene is not

only a development goal; it is a moral imperative, a child rights obligation

and a strategic investment in our nation’s future.

Reporting originally appeared via Citizen Digital. Read the full source for additional context.