Established in 2014 and based in Kenya, the Africa Centre for Health, Environment, and Water Services (ACHEWS) is a leading pan-African organization dedicated to driving impactful change through research, capacity building, consultancy, and policy advisory services. With a commitment to excellence in delivery of service, ACHEWS operates at the forefront of science-based knowledge to inform policy and best practices in the field health, environment, water, natural resources management, climate change, and waste management. Through collaboration and strategic foresight, ACHEWS continues to shape a brighter, healthier future for Africa and beyond, inviting others to join in its transformative journey towards lasting change.
Research And Project Implementation Experiences
Between 2019 and 2021, Africa Centre for Health, Environment, and Water Services (ACHEWS) collaborated with GTECH Consultant in carrying out 15 Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) surveys for national road projects, sponsored by Kenya Rural Roads Authority. The study evaluated the effects of the road infrastructure on people, environment, and development, where critical blue resources such as forests, wetlands, rivers, and conservation areas are key. By integrating road development with the preservation and sustainable use of blue resources, ACHEWS and its partners played a crucial role in promoting responsible management practices. Based on ACHEWS professional reporting, projects were successfully licensed by NEMA due to a well-balanced policy recommendation of environmental conservation with a more resilient and ecologically sustainable future.

2. In 2017 and 2018, Africa Centre for Health, Environment, and Water Services (ACHEWS) conducted a survey on the impact of waste management on environment and community livelihoods, revealing alarming consequences in Mandera County. Poor waste management practices have emerged as a significant threat to livestock and terrestrial ecosystems but also to vital blue resources. In particular, Mismanagement of waste has posed imminent dangers to ecosystems, jeopardizing health of its habitats essential for sustaining biodiversity and supporting local livelihoods. Contamination of water sources due to improper waste disposal practices has dire implications for livestock health, further exacerbating the socio-economic vulnerabilities of communities dependent on these resources and climate change. ACHEWS’s findings underscored Mandera County Government policy decision to relocate dumpsites, fencing them and putting in place an improved dumpsites management so that livestock, wildlife and other resources are safe.
3. From 2020 to 2022, African Centre for Health, Environment, and Water Services (ACHEWS) joined forces with Log Associates to conduct a national survey on the extent and impact of leachate pollution in Western Kenya, encompassing 11 counties. This pioneering initiative yielded a transformative policy outcome, catalyzing significant advancements in waste management practices across the region.

With a renewed focus on sustainability and conservation of blue resources, all counties have embraced well-managed waste sites, marked by a concerted effort to enhance recycling initiatives. By mitigating the risks of leachate pollution, the project findings contributed to strengthening of policy safeguards and environmental stewardship in counties/region for blues resources including freshwater ecosystems.

4. Between 2022 and 2023, African Centre for Health, Environment, and Water Services (ACHEWS), in collaboration with Log Associates, undertook Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) survey for Kibera Investment Delivering Safe Water Project, supported by SHOFCO. This pivotal initiative not only aimed to ensure provision of safe water to vulnerable communities but also emphasized the crucial role of sustainable blue resources utilization and protection of vital blue resources, fostering resilience and long-term sustainability in the region’s water management practices.
5. In 2020, Africa Centre for Health, Environment, and Water Services (ACHEWS) worked for Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) to conduct a survey for fisheries and biodiversity in Lake Victoria, aiming to enhance understanding of blue resources utilization and conservation. The survey utilized a research vessel provided by the Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute, gathering data on vital parameters such as species richness, diversity indices, and spatial- temporal distribution of fish stocks. Additionally, data on macroinvertebrates, zooplankton, phytoplankton, and environmental factors including temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, nutrient levels, and pollutant concentrations were collected. The research findings significantly advanced scientific knowledge for sustainable management and conservation of Lake Victoria’s blue resources.
6. In 2020, Africa Centre for Health, Environment, and Water Services (ACHEWS) conducted a survey in Wajir County focusing on multifaceted impacts of drought, vulnerability, and livelihood risks. The study outcomes not only led to enhanced policy for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies but also highlighted interconnectedness of water scarcity and broader ecosystem challenges, including the management of blue resources. By recognizing critical role of water availability and quality in sustaining livelihoods, particularly in arid regions like Wajir, the findings underscore the importance of integrated approaches that prioritize the sustainable management of environmental resources to build resilience against climate-induced risks.