Human-capital specialist brings expertise in organisational performance to Kenya’s water training institution
The Kenya Water Institute (KEWI) has appointed Hassan Ahamednur Baricha to its Governing Council, adding expertise in human capital development, organisational performance and institutional effectiveness to the body responsible for providing strategic oversight to the institute.
Baricha’s three-year appointment took effect on 4 September 2026 following his appointment by the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation under the Kenya Water Institute Act and publication through Gazette Notice No. 14171.
His arrival comes as KEWI continues to strengthen its role in developing the technical and professional skills required by Kenya’s water and sanitation sector.
Strengthening human capital
Baricha is a human resources professional with experience in human capital development, productivity and organisational performance. His background is expected to contribute to the Council’s deliberations on institutional effectiveness and workforce development.
For the water sector, human capital remains a critical component of service delivery. Water utilities, government agencies and other sector institutions require professionals with the technical knowledge and practical skills to manage increasingly complex challenges ranging from water-resource management and treatment to wastewater, sanitation and climate resilience.
KEWI is mandated to provide competency-based education, training and capacity development for the wider water sector. The institute also undertakes examinations, research and consultancy services.
Leadership for a changing sector
Kenya’s water sector is undergoing significant changes driven by urbanisation, climate variability, technological development and increasing demand for reliable water and sanitation services.
These pressures are creating demand for new skills in areas such as digital water management, water-quality monitoring, wastewater treatment, asset management and climate-resilient infrastructure.
KEWI has recently expanded its focus on technology and innovation. Its partnerships include initiatives around digital transformation of laboratory management and water-quality monitoring, reflecting the growing role of data and technology in modern water management.
Against this backdrop, strengthening institutional leadership and workforce development is becoming increasingly important.
Supporting strategic oversight
The KEWI Governing Council provides strategic leadership and oversight for the institute, including guiding its institutional direction and supporting effective delivery of its mandate.
Baricha joins a Council whose membership includes representatives from professional bodies, water users’ associations, the private sector, non-governmental organisations and public universities.
His experience in organisational performance and human-resource management provides an additional perspective as KEWI works to strengthen its systems and enhance the effectiveness of its training and capacity-building programmes.
Investing in the people behind water services
Infrastructure remains essential to expanding water and sanitation services, but skilled people are equally important to ensuring that those systems are properly planned, operated and maintained.
From water treatment plants and sewer networks to laboratories, distribution systems and water-resource monitoring, the performance of infrastructure ultimately depends on the capabilities of the professionals managing it.
Baricha’s appointment therefore comes at a time when Kenya’s water sector is placing greater emphasis on developing a workforce equipped to respond to emerging technical, environmental and institutional challenges.
As KEWI continues to expand its training, research and consultancy functions, stronger governance and investment in human capital will remain central to building a more capable and responsive water sector.
