Lodwar, Turkana County, 24 September 2026 – Government leaders, development and humanitarian partners, financial institutions, private sector actors, and community representatives have convened in Lodwar for the Private Sector for WASH (PS4WASH) Forum 2026 to explore practical pathways for transitioning towards sustainable, market-led WASH service delivery in Turkana County and other fragile contexts.

Held under the theme “Beyond Direct Provision: Unlocking Sustainable, Private Sector-Led WASH Markets in Turkana,” the forum is convened by Swisscontact in partnership with Plan International Kenya, and UNHCR. The event comes at a pivotal moment as Kenya advances implementation of the Refugees Act, 2021 and the Shirika Plan, both of which are driving a broader shift towards refugee inclusion, self-reliance, and more integrated approaches to service delivery.

The forum seeks to tackle one of the most pressing development questions facing policymakers and practitioners today: How do we build WASH systems that continue delivering impact long after projects end?

Over the past decade, humanitarian and development investments have played a critical role in expanding access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services across refugee-hosting and underserved communities.

However, sustaining these gains increasingly requires stronger local enterprises, market systems, innovative financing, and partnerships that can ensure continued service delivery while creating economic opportunities for local communities.

Speaking during the opening session, Sharon Mosin, Country Director of Swisscontact, noted that sustainable service delivery depends not only on infrastructure and investment, but also on the strength of the local systems that support it.

“The true test of sustainable development is not what we deliver during implementation. It is what continues working long after implementation has ended. Sustainable WASH systems require strong local enterprises, functioning markets, and partnerships capable of sustaining impact over the long term.”

The forum builds on lessons emerging from the Climate Proofing WASH (CP WASH) initiative, implemented by Swisscontact, Plan International Kenya, and Water Mission, which has been promoting private-sector-led and climate-resilient approaches to WASH service delivery in Turkana County. Experiences from the initiative have demonstrated the potential of local entrepreneurship, circular economy models, and innovative partnerships to strengthen service sustainability while creating jobs and economic opportunities.

Participants will explore practical approaches for moving beyond traditional service delivery models, including enterprise development, public-private partnerships, innovative financing mechanisms, supply chain strengthening, and climate-resilient sanitation solutions. The forum will also showcase emerging businesses operating within the WASH ecosystem, including local sanitation enterprises, waste-to-value innovators, and menstrual health product distributors.

While rooted in Turkana, discussions at the forum are expected to contribute to broader national conversations on localization, climate resilience, sustainable financing, refugee inclusion, and the role of the private sector in delivering essential services.