Naivasha, Kenya: Dignitaries and stakeholders gathered in Naivasha yesterday to participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for the Naivasha Treatment Plant expansion (NTPx). Being developed by Sanivation in partnership with Nakuru County, with support from the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), the project will transform human waste into solid fuel briquettes for use in industrial heating.
CEO and Co-founder of Sanivation, Emily Woods said “We want to thank all of our government partners, funders and supporters for helping us through all the challenges in this long journey. It’s been six years in development, and it is incredible to celebrate this success with you all today. This project is a great step forward in an even bigger vision to transform how non-sewered sanitation is delivered across Kenya. We are excited about the increasing waste treatment in Naivasha while creating jobs and renewable energy. Today we celebrate this great milestone that will act as a blueprint for other cities.”
NTPx will enable Sanivation to ramp up production of its briquettes, which are made using treated faecal sludge and waste products from nearby sawmills. The company’s briquettes burn more efficiently than firewood, reducing the cost of energy for industrial customers by 10-30%.[i] Sanivation’s expanded operations are set to treat waste equivalent to that produced by up to 130,000 households, reducing pressure on existing facilities and preventing sewage from polluting surrounding land.
MD of NAIVAWASCO, the Naivasha Water and Sanitation Utility: “About 84% of the Naivasha population rely on non-sewered sanitation, including septic tanks and pit latrines. This makes faecal sludge management an important public health priority. Through NTPx, we’re demonstrating that sanitation services can become opportunities for innovation, that waste can become a resource, and partnerships can provide sustainable solutions for our communities.”
Acknowledging the assembled guests, PIDG Senior Technical Assistance Manager, Jasper Onyango, said, “I am extremely happy and proud to witness the start of construction of the Naivasha Treatment Plant Expansion. For many years, we have been working to realise Sanivation’s vision for an innovative waste-to-value project and are very pleased that support from PIDG’s project development and technical assistance solutions has unlocked progress and brought us to this point. I wish Emily and the construction team all the very best for their work and look forward to standing here again when the plant opens next year.”
Entering the project earlier this year, PIDG provided USD 3.3m of equity investment through its project development solution, InfraCo, and a further USD 500,000 grant, through its technical assistance solution.
PIDG owner representatives from the Netherlands and Switzerland said of today’s groundbreaking:
“The Netherlands remains a longstanding and committed partner in the global WASH sector, working alongside governments, utilities, civil society organisations, communities, and private sector actors to improve access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Beyond infrastructure investments, these partnerships have focused on strengthening governance, enhancing utility performance, improving service delivery, and mobilising sustainable financing to advance progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6. I would like to particularly acknowledge the contribution of PIDG in catalysing investment and development finance within Kenya’s water and sanitation sector. Through its support for both bulk water supply infrastructure and this faecal sludge treatment facility, PIDG has demonstrated the important role that blended and innovative financing can play in expanding access to essential services while attracting greater private sector participation.” Simone van den Broek, Diplomat at the Embassy of the Netherlands, Nairobi.
Magdaline Morijoi, Trade Officer in the Swiss Embassy, Kenya, added, “The Naivasha Treatment Plant Expansion is a good example of how infrastructure can contribute to a more circular approach – by not only treating wastewater, but also looking at waste as a potential resource and at how innovative technologies can contribute to energy and environmental objectives. Switzerland is proud to support this innovative project through PIDG, demonstrating the value of partnerships in mobilising private investment for sustainable development.”
Expected to commence operations in 2027, the plant has been designed to reduce its vulnerability to potential future lake level rises, increasing the climate-resilience of this innovative waste-to-value business and safeguarding the services it will provide for both sanitation and energy.
We also appreciate the presence of the National and County Government represented by:
Eng. Mulama, Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation (MOWSI): “This project creates successful pathways through which successful models can be taken to other towns and cities countrywide. I congratulate Sanivation on this initiative and this milestone as you proceed to do the groundbreaking of the project. We look forward to seeing this project from the ground to implementation, operationalisation, and measurable impact for the people of Naivasha.”
The Message by the Governor of Nakuru County Susan Kihika read by the CEC of Water & Environment Dr. Nelson Maara Governor’s Office: “As Nakuru County, we recognise the importance of creating an enabling environment for partnerships that improve services, create jobs, protect the environment, and deliver value to our residents. As the population grows, we must invest in infrastructure capable of meeting the needs of households, businesses, industries and future generations. NTPx is a significant step in that direction. The County Government remains committed to working with NAIVAWASCO, Sanivation, National Govt. and Investors to support the successful implementation of this project.”
[i] Internal documentation.
