Safaricom has entered a partnership with the Kenya Water Institute to build capacity in the water sector, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 6 that seeks to ensure availability and sustainable management of clean water and sanitation for all.
Through the partnership, Safaricom will deploy a Smart Water System at the Kenya Water Institute’s Nairobi and Kitui campuses to facilitate practical training. It will additionally co-create and run a Smart Water Management curriculum for students at the institution.
Smart Water Management entails leveraging the internet of things (IoT) technologies in managing the abstraction, production, distribution, and consumption of water. The smart water meters provide an effective way of collecting data online in real-time. They ensure effective monitoring of utility consumption data thereby detecting loss & leakage, ensuring accurate billing, enhancing revenue collection, improving operational efficiency, and as a result saving costs.
“We understand the place of IoT and as such we continue to embrace different technologies. Central to creating the Smart Meter and making it work is the IoT technology. It is at the heart of the new digital world and is already transforming business models and opening new products and services at a spectacular rate. Generated data can be used to boost efficiency, cut costs, save utility, and help your consumers organise their lives better,” Mr Ndegwa said.
The Kenya Water Institute is the body mandated by the government to carry out capacity development for the water sector. The institute also provides short courses for water service providers and as such KEWI is best placed to partner with Safaricom to tailor the Smart Water Management curriculum.
“The partnership between KEWI and Safaricom on the Smart Water Management curriculum is a forward-thinking collaboration that aims to tackle the pressing issue of water scarcity by fostering awareness and practical solutions. This reflects a shared vision of leveraging technology and education to drive sustainable water practices and conservation,” said Dr. Leiro Letangule, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Water Institute.
