An estimated 3,000 men and women drawn from 35 water and sanitation sector institutions across the country have converged in Kericho County for the 2026 Water Culture and Games Festival, which is being held from August 10 to 14 at Kericho Teachers Training College (TTC).
The five-day festival, hosted by Kericho Water and Sanitation Company (KEWASCO), has brought together members of the Water Services Providers Association (WASPA) fraternity, including water utilities and sector agencies, for a blend of sporting, cultural, networking, and professional activities.
The event was officially flagged off on August 10, ushering in a week of competition and interaction among participants representing institutions from different counties. The festival’s sporting programme features football, volleyball, netball, and table tennis, among other disciplines, attracting both male and female participants.
The sporting activities have turned the festival into a platform where employees can demonstrate their abilities beyond their professional responsibilities while building friendships and strengthening teamwork.
The competitions also provide an opportunity for participants to engage in healthy physical activities and interact with colleagues working in different water and sanitation institutions.
The gathering is also aimed at strengthening relations within the water and sanitation sector by bringing together professionals who play different roles in the provision and management of water and sanitation services.
Through the sporting and cultural activities, participants are able to exchange experiences, network, and build relationships that can contribute to improved cooperation within the sector.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Kericho County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning and Head of County Treasury, Jackson Rop, who represented Governor Dr. Erick Mutai, said the festival was an important platform for bringing together professionals from across the country.
“Beyond the competition, this festival gives us an opportunity to interact, share experiences, and build stronger working relationships as we seek to improve water and sanitation services,” Rop said.
Rop added that the gathering would enable institutions to strengthen cooperation while creating an environment where participants could share experiences and learn from one another.
He noted that the interaction among water and sanitation professionals was important in supporting efforts to improve service delivery to the public.
The CECM further said hosting the festival had given Kericho County an opportunity to showcase its hospitality, tourism experiences, and investment potential to visitors drawn from different parts of the country.
“We welcome you to explore Kericho, experience our hospitality, and discover the tourism and investment opportunities that our county has to offer,” he said.
The festival has also provided an opportunity for the host county to interact with professionals from different parts of the country, with participants expected to experience the local environment and attractions during their stay in Kericho.
As the competitions continue, teams will battle for honours in the various sporting disciplines, with football, volleyball, netball, and table tennis forming part of the key activities.
The participation of both men and women is expected to promote inclusivity and equal participation in the sporting programme.
Beyond the sporting contests, the festival is expected to create a platform for participants to strengthen professional networks and share ideas on issues affecting the water and sanitation sector.
The interaction is expected to encourage collaboration among institutions and foster a stronger sense of fraternity among sector employees.
The festival will run through August 14, with participants expected to engage in various sporting, cultural, and social activities. The event is expected to leave a lasting impact by promoting healthy lifestyles, teamwork, professional networking, and stronger collaboration among water and sanitation institutions across the country.
By Monica Irua and Faith Chelangat
