By: Fidelis Kioko

The Civil Engineering Club of the Technical University of Mombasa ( CEC-TUM) held a strategic engagement with the State Department for Water and Sanitation at Maji House, Nairobi, on 21st July 2026, to explore opportunities for collaboration between academia and the water sector.

The delegation, led by Dr. Esther Njoki, Chair of the Department of Civil Engineering and Club Patron, included Fidelis Kioko – President of the Club, Henry Njoroge, and Edrian Karancha.

The team met Eng. SAO. Alima, National Water Secretary, where discussions focused on industrial attachments, internships, joint research and innovation, technical site visits, guest lectures, seminars, capacity building, and joint CsR initiatives. The engagement received positive feedback, and the delegation was tasked with documenting the agreed areas of collaboration. The drafting of an official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is currently ongoing to formalize the partnership.

The delegation also met Eng. Anthony Njaramba, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Water Services Providers Association (WASPA), who provided insights into the water supply and sanitation situation in the Coast Region, particularly Mombasa County. Drawing from his previous role as Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MOWASSCO) CEO, he highlighted the region's water sources, sector challenges, Non-Revenue Water, and possible solutions. He emphasized the importance of universities becoming centres of research and innovation capable of developing affordable, high-impact solutions for the water sector. He also recalled his previous engagement with TUM students during his tenure at MOWASSCO.

The delegation further interacted with professionals from Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB), The Kenya Water Sanitation and Hygiene (K-WASH) Program, and other water-sector departments, gaining valuable insights into regulation, water consumer rights, internships, and career opportunities.

The engagement marks an important step towards strengthening TUM's industry linkages, practical learning, research, innovation, and professional development, while positioning Civil Engineering students to contribute meaningfully to Kenya's water and sanitation sector.