Sidian Bank has expanded its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme to schools in Uasin Gishu, Busia and Trans Nzoia counties as the lender deepens its investment in social infrastructure projects linked to education and community development.
The bank launched the second phase of the initiative with the donation of 10,000-litre water tanks to schools in Turbo and Ainabkoi constituencies in Uasin Gishu, Teso South in Busia and Cherangani in Trans Nzoia.
The rollout was undertaken in partnership with the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NGCDF), school administrators and local community leaders, with Teso South becoming the first constituency in Busia County to benefit under the new phase.
Sidian Bank said the programme is aimed at improving access to clean water and reducing sanitation-related disruptions in schools, particularly in water-stressed areas where learners often face unreliable supply and high water costs.
Kapsoya Comprehensive School in Ainabkoi, which has nearly 1,000 learners, is among the beneficiaries.
“We have been struggling with high water bills and unreliable supply. This tank will greatly ease our burden and improve hygiene for our children,” said head teacher Bevelline Langat.
Speaking during the handover ceremony in Teso South, area MP Mary Emaase Otucho said water infrastructure remains a critical component of improving learning conditions and school sanitation standards.
She said the constituency is transitioning from dilapidated pit latrines to modern WASH facilities and is investing in rainwater harvesting systems, boreholes and solar-powered pumps to improve water access.
Otucho noted that several schools in the constituency still face infrastructure challenges, including temporary classrooms and unreliable water supply due to the terrain around the slopes of Mount Elgon. She added that the constituency is exploring a pilot programme for 15 modern WASH facilities designed to improve privacy and hygiene for girls.
Sidian Bank’s Head of Institutional Banking, Simon Mwangi, said the lender is prioritising schools because of the strong link between water access, sanitation and educational performance.
“Children should not spend hours fetching water instead of learning. With reliable water storage, learners can focus on their books, maintain hygiene and thrive in a clean environment,” Mwangi said.
He added that the second phase signals a broader long-term commitment that could include borehole projects in water-scarce communities.
“Partnerships are the way to go. Today we support schools with tanks; tomorrow we can do more, including water production infrastructure where the need is greatest,” he said.
The expansion of the WASH programme comes as banks increasingly integrate environmental and social investment into their corporate strategy, particularly in sectors such as education, health and climate resilience. Analysts say access to clean water in schools has become a growing area of focus because of its direct impact on attendance, health outcomes and learning performance.
Sidian Bank did not disclose the financial value of the latest phase of the programme.
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