Football as a catalyst for improving WASH services in schools in Kenya

Sport can be an effective platform for engaging communities in developmental issues. This paper presents findings from an innovative public-private partnership program, Football for WASH (F4WASH), initiated by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kenya in 2012, aimed at improving WASH services in schools. During the first phase (2012-2016), a WASH services have been improved in 170 public primary schools in seven counties, benefiting 119, 420 school children. A qualitative evaluation conducted shows other than increasing the number and maintenance of WASH facilities in schools leading to improved learning outcomes, sports for WASH is an effective catalyst for changing hygiene behaviours not only in schools but also in communities. The success of this program led to an extension to the next phase and attracted commitments of substantial resources for WASH in Schools from three county governments, with a specific requirement for bidders to demonstrate cost-recovery and maintenance commitments.