Kenya Water Institute was established by the KEWI Act 2001 and it is mandated to offer training, administer examinations, and offer research and consultancy services in the water sector. The Act also mandates the institute to provide a forum for effective collaboration between the public and private sectors and other interested parties for the development of the water and sanitation sectors
KEWI has earned the acknowledgment of being a main establishment in delivering high caliber human capital for the water sector in Kenya. The school's vision is "To be a World class Center of Excellence in Training, Research and Consultancy in the Water and related Sectors". To accomplish this, KEWI with the help from the Government and various partners has put resources into limit working of her staff both locally and internationally. Courses offered include; Water Engineering, Water Resources Technology Management, Water and Waste Water Laboratory Technology, Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Information Technology, Meter Reading, Sewerage, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology,
In addition to these, there are short term courses offered by KEWI such as in operation and maintenance of water supply sewer networks, water and wastewater treatment plant, electro-mechanical equipment operation and trouble shooting and pumping technology technology among others.
Being a semi-autonomous Government agency, KEWI is supported by the Government of Kenya and is additionally required to produce its income to meet expenditure. So as to diminish over dependence on the exchequer, the Institute creates income through offering training and consultancy services at a charge. A portion of these consultancy services offered include; Hydro-geological Surveys, Water and Waste Analysis, Drilling and Equipping, Leak Detection, Test Pumping, Environmental Impact Assessments and Audits and Capacity Building and short courses.
In the recent past, KEWI has had a close and strong capacity building link with Coast Water Service Board, WASPA, WARMA, JICA, Kengen, Care International, Mangat & Patel Engineering and; the Nairobi City, Malindi, Naivasha, Kakamega/Busia, Embu, Meru and Machakos Water and Sewerage Companies. Other institutions and stakeholders that KEWI has worked closely with are; the Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Water Service Boards, National Irrigation Board, UNESCO, GTZ, BFZ, Bola Associates Limited, Cap-Net, Chujio Water Filter Manufacturers, Eastleigh Community Centre among others.
The institute will continue to engage and work closely with all interested and like-minded institutions and organizations. In this regard, KEWI is continuously inviting parties to come and partner with the institution in likeminded ventures so to keep with their vision of transforming the region as a whole.