Professor Edward Kairu is the Executive Director of Maji na Ufanisi (Water and Development), one of the best known Water Supply and Environmental Sanitation (WES) NGOs in Kenya and also the Chair of ANEW - African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation. Maji na Ufanisi implements Water and Environmental Sanitation (WES) projects in Urban informal settlements (slums) and Small Towns/Rural Areas of Kenya. Kairu holds a PhD in Climatology from McGill University (Canada); MSc in Hydro Climatology and BSc (Physics, Mathematics and Geography) from the University of Nairobi. Prof. Kairu has over 20 years experience in development work mainly in African countries. For the last 5 years, he has concentrated a lot on Water and Sanitation aspects in Africa.
Before his current position, Kairu worked for the UNDP/ UNOPS as the Chief Technical Adviser, attached to the Lesotho Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture. He has also worked as an adviser to the UNDP/ Global Environment Fund within the Asia – Pacific region and as a Consultant for UNDP Liberia, and UNICEF Kenya. Kairu has also worked as a Senior Consultant for ETC East Africa, a Dutch Consulting company which consults for many bilateral and multilateral donors in Africa. Finally, Kairu has taught at various Kenyan universities, for over 10 years. He was the head of the Department of Geography – Kenyatta University for 5 years.
