Water and energy solutions provider, Davis & Shirtliff has directly improved the lives of over 1,400,000 million people in the last 12 months through projects that support 14 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The firm’s 2023 Sustainability Report shows that it invested Sh60 million in its ‘Improving Lives’ initiative in 2023, providing thousands of Kenyans access to clean water and energy.

According to the report, the company has implemented 719 water projects nationwide since 2018. It also run a drought response program in 2023 in West Pokot, Marsabit, Turkana, Samburu, Taita Taveta, and Kajiado Counties.

This marks a 25 per cent increase from 2022. The number of partners also rose from 41 to 47, signaling increased collaboration.

“In 2024, we are converting hand pump-fitted wells into solar-powered systems to ensure a sustainable and reliable water supply. This transition will reduce women and children’s time collecting water, allowing them to focus on education and other critical needs,” said George Mbugua, CEO of Davis & Shirtliff.

One notable project took place in the Alale community of West Pokot, where residents once walked over 20 kilometers to find water. In collaboration with the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), Davis & Shirtliff installed a 240-meter-deep solar-powered borehole pump, delivering 10,000 liters of water per hour to 3,000 residents.

The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) highlights the urgency of such initiatives, with 32 per cent of Kenyans lacking access to safe drinking water.

Davis & Shirtliff’s projects aim to address this gap, helping protect communities from waterborne diseases.

The SDGs established by the United Nations, are a global call to action aimed at creating a sustainable and equitable future for all by 2030.

These goals address critical challenges, such as eradicating poverty and hunger, ensuring good health and well-being, providing quality education, and achieving gender equality.

Clean water, affordable energy, decent work, and economic growth are at the core of these objectives, along with innovation, reducing inequalities, and fostering sustainable cities.

The firm invested Sh67 million in renewable energy projects last year.These initiatives included the installation of 32 MW of photovoltaic modules, 896 solar pumping units, and 1,372 solar water heaters, promoting off-grid solar solutions across Kenya.