KENYA AND JAPAN IN JOINT WASTEWATER TECHNOLOGY

The Director, (MEAs), Mr. Richard Mwendandu giving the PS remarks during the official opening of the technical seminar.

Sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation is an important part of the Sustainable Development Goals (MDGs). For most African countries, Kenya included, an extensive effort is needed for the achievement of the SDGs, especially in Sub‐Saharan Africa, Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Mr. Ali Noor Ismael has observed.

In remarks made on his behalf by the Director of Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs), Mr. Richard Mwendandu, during the official opening of the Technical seminar for wastewater treatment and hygiene management towards achievement of the SDGs at a Nairobi hotel, the PS observed that, Current practices for water and wastewater treatment in Africa are insufficient to ensure safe water and basic sanitation. To address this challenge, joint efforts are needed, including transforming to green economy, innovating technologies, improving operation and maintenance, harvesting energy, improving governance and management, promoting public participation, and establishing water quality standards.

During the training seminar, the Japanese team, led by Mr. Yuji Hirose, a senior Environment expert from the Ministry of Environment, Japan, introduced the Johkasou technology, which is a Japanese National Standard for non-municipal sewage treatment. The Johkasou is an on-site wastewater treatment, used when there is no access to sewers and in high population density areas, for on-site wastewater treatment including water reclamation.

Addressing the same meeting, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Charles Hinga Mwaura, welcomed such innovative technologies as the government implements one of its four agendas of affordable housing.

Wastewater treatment is a process to convert wastewater, which is water no longer needed or suitable for its most recent use – into an effluent that can be either returned to the water cycle with minimal environmental issues or reused.

The Japanese team with the DMEAs in a memorable group photo.