World Vision Kenya Launches 2026–2030 National Strategy and WASH Business Plan to Transform the Lives of 13.3 Million Children Across 33 Counties

Nairobi, Kenya – 9 February 2026 – World Vision Kenya has launched its 2026–2030 National Strategy and WASH business plan, reaffirming its long-term commitment to improving the well-being of Kenya’s most vulnerable children through resilience building, inclusive development, strengthened child protection systems, and expanded access to essential services, including water, sanitation, hygiene, and health.

Unveiled at a high-level stakeholder forum in Nairobi, the five-year strategy sets out plans to reach 13.3 million children across 33 counties through direct programming, strategic partnerships, and evidence-based advocacy, with priority given to children living in extreme poverty, children with disabilities, and those affected by climate shocks, violence, and social exclusion.

The WASH Business plan, ‘Mapping the Blue Thread’ is World Vision’s 2026 to 2030 business plan to deliver adaptive water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions to 2.27 million children with direct WASH services by 2030 and expand access to safe water for more than 1.2 million people in 18 counties through innovation, partnerships, and systems strengthening.

“With an ambitious goal to reach 13.3 million children across 33 counties, prioritising those living in extreme poverty and children with disabilities, this strategy is about shifting from short-term interventions to lasting systems that protect children and strengthen communities.” said David Githanga, Board Chairperson, World Vision Kenya. 

Building on Five Years of Impact

The new strategy builds on the achievements of World Vision Kenya’s 2021–2025 Strategy, during which the organisation invested 432 million USD and reached more than 4.5 million people across 37 counties, including 2.6 million children directly.

Key achievements over the past five years include:

• 1.27 million children engaged in initiatives to end violence against children
• 202,174 parents and caregivers trained in positive parenting approaches
• 957,000 children supported through spiritual nurture programmes
• A reduction in reported violence against children from 42% to 28%
• An increase in children who know where to report abuse from 43.8% to 68.8%
• An increase in faith leaders taking action for child well-being from 67% to 92.6%

Through advocacy and policy engagement, World Vision Kenya also reached 9.4 million children, contributing to strengthened systems and policies that protect children’s rights and welfare.

“These results show what is possible when communities, leaders, and partners work together to put children first. The new strategy builds on this foundation, responding to emerging risks while scaling approaches that have proven to work,” said Gilbert Kamanga, National Director, World Vision Kenya.

A Strategy for a Changing Kenya

Kenya’s development context continues to evolve, shaped by climate change, economic pressures, demographic shifts, and widening inequality. World Vision Kenya’s 2026–2030 Strategy aligns with Kenya Vision 2030, County Integrated Development Plans, and the Sustainable Development Goals, while responding to the lived realities of vulnerable communities.

The strategy is anchored on three integrated development priorities:

1. Resilience Building, Environment and Climate Change

Strengthening household and community resilience through climate-smart agriculture, economic empowerment, natural resource restoration, and disaster risk management, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.

2. Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Health (WASH & Health)

Expanding access to safe water, improved sanitation, hygiene promotion, and essential primary healthcare services to reduce preventable disease and improve child survival.

As part of this priority, World Vision Kenya’s WASH Business Plan aims to reach 2.27 million children with direct WASH services by 2030 and expand access to safe water for more than 1.2 million people in 18 counties through innovation, partnerships, and systems strengthening.

The organisation will move beyond traditional infrastructure delivery to develop Safe, Accessible, Functional, Equitable, and Resilient (SAFER) water systems, targeting over 90% functionality through professionalised maintenance and digital monitoring. 

In arid and semi-arid counties, solar-powered systems and water harvesting technologies will be integrated to ensure water systems remain reliable even in the face of climate shocks.

To address the sanitation challenge and stimulate local economies, World Vision Kenya will also establish more than 15 WASH Business Centers (community-based, one-stop shops that increase access to water, sanitation, and hygiene products—such as latrine slabs, soap, and water tanks—while providing technical services like construction) countrywide to provide commercial sanitation products and services, creating local jobs while improving access to sustainable sanitation solutions.

3. Child Protection, Participation and Access to Education

Strengthening child protection systems, preventing violence against children, improving access to quality education, and promoting meaningful participation of children and young people in decisions that affect their lives. 

Reaching the Most Vulnerable

Over the next five years, World Vision Kenya will prioritise:

• 3.04 million children living in extreme poverty
• 343,181 children with disabilities
• Children living in fragile contexts, including arid and semi-arid regions and urban informal settlements

Implementation will be delivered through 43 Area Programmes countrywide, working closely with county governments and local partners to support sustainable, community-led solutions. Gender equity remains central, with 54% of people reached expected to be female.

A Call to Collective Action

World Vision Kenya emphasised that lasting change for children requires strong partnerships and shared responsibility.

“No single organisation can transform children’s lives alone. This strategy is an invitation to government, partners, faith leaders, and communities to work together to build a Kenya where every child is safe, educated, healthy, and able to thrive,” said Gilbert Kamanga.

Despite Kenya’s steady economic growth, 47% of our children still suffer from multidimensional poverty, with 1.1 million children remaining malnourished and 2.8 million children out of school. Recurrent droughts and floods continue to displace 300,000 children each year. World Vision Kenya noted that addressing these interconnected challenges requires integrated solutions that link child protection, education, climate resilience, health, and WASH.

“Our ambition is not just to deliver services, but to strengthen systems and empower communities so that progress is sustainable. When a child turns on a tap in 2030, the water should be there, it should be safe, and it should last,” Kamanga added. 

ENDS//

About World Vision Kenya

World Vision Kenya is a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organisation working to improve the lives of vulnerable children, families, and communities across the country. Working through long-term development programs, child protection, education, health, food security, economic empowerment, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), advocacy initiatives, and emergency response to communities affected by natural or human-induced disasters, the organisation partners with communities, governments, and stakeholders to address root causes of poverty and promote sustainable well-being. 

The organisation’s transformative development initiatives are spread across 37 counties countrywide, and it serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. 

World Vision Kenya is part of World Vision International, operating in nearly 100 countries worldwide.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Susan Nyamai
Communications and Public Engagement Manager
World Vision Kenya
Email: susan_nyamai@wvi.org 
Phone: +254 729 803 214