On World Water Day, Kenya's government, led by Cabinet Secretary for Water and Sanitation Eric Mugaa, emphasized the critical need to improve clean water access, particularly for women and girls who disproportionately suffer from water shortages. The event took place at Mwerongundu Primary School in Meru County, where officials outlined government initiatives aimed at expanding water access and improving sanitation facilities across the country.

The 2023 World Water Day theme, 'Water and Gender,' highlights the crucial link between the availability of safe water and gender equality, encapsulated in the slogan 'Where water flows, equality grows.' This focus aims to raise awareness of how water shortages impact women's roles in communities and their overall well-being. Mugaa noted that initiatives are being launched to enhance clean water access and irrigation systems nationwide, addressing both environmental and social inequalities.

By strengthening water infrastructure, the Kenyan government seeks to alleviate the burden on women and girls who are often tasked with water collection, which can limit their opportunities for education and economic participation. The drive for improving water accessibility is not only a matter of health and hygiene but is also fundamental to achieving broader gender equality goals in the region, aligning with global efforts to combat the water crisis and promote sustainable development in Africa.