Kenya seeks to adopt lessons from Denmark’s renowned wastewater management system to improve efficiency, transparency, and consumer protection in the country’s water sector.
The initiative follows a benchmarking visit to Copenhagen by Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eng. Eric Mugaa, who was accompanied by Members of Parliament from the Blue Economy, Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Committee, led by Chairperson Bowen Kangogo.
The delegation identified key takeaways from Denmark’s model, including cooperation among municipal utilities, economic regulation to prevent overcharging, benchmarking to encourage innovation, and transparency through public disclosure of utilities’ performance and financial records.
During their meetings with the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (DEPA), Denmark’s equivalent of Kenya’s NEMA, the delegation learned that Danish utilities operate independently and are entirely funded by consumers, rather than relying on government subsidies.
In addition to regulating the sector, DEPA ensures that all wastewater is treated before release and oversees strict compliance with EU environmental standards.
The delegation also visited Assens Utility A/S, which serves 40,000 residents through a fully self-regulating wastewater system.
They later toured a wastewater treatment plant at Aarhus Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment in Aarhus. it is Denmark’s second-largest water utility, and serves 350,000 people through 2,000 km of piping and operates fully automated systems.
“It integrates smart meters and has the ability to handle effective stormwater management, preventing overflows and damage,” remarked the CS.
“This model demonstrates how efficient, consumer-driven utilities can deliver sustainability while maintaining high service standards,” he added
Kenya plans to build on these insights to strengthen its own wastewater management framework, focusing on improved governance, financial independence for utilities, and enhanced environmental protection.
