Solving Water Together: M-Koko, EWB-USA, and Xylem's Partnership for Generational Change
In the field of International Development, the story of clean water access has often been one of short-lived solutions. Across many communities, boreholes are drilled only to fall into disrepair within months, leaving families once again without safe water. But for over two decades, M-Koko Trust, a grassroots organization led by dedicated local volunteers, has been rewriting this story in partnership with Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA).
Since before they were even formally organized under the name "M-Koko, this NGO in Kenya has worked tirelessly to bring sustainable water systems to elementary schools across Khwisero. What began as a modest group of volunteers (taking their name from “koko,” a fallen tree trunk used as a simple bridge) has grown into a trusted community organization. Together they have grown with EWB-USA’s Montana State University chapter, M-Koko has built dozens of water systems that are not only still standing but still serving communities years later. One Afridev pump installed in 2016 continues to provide safe water nearly a decade on.
Today, more than 70% of schools in Khwisero have clean water and sanitation thanks to M-Koko’s persistence. The model works because it is built on values that M-Koko has held since the beginning: moving at the pace of the community, being uncompromising on quality, and ensuring that systems can be fully owned and maintained by local institutions.
A Partnership Ready to Grow
After 20 years of working largely with a single EWB-USA chapter, M-Koko leaders began imagining how much more could be done if they had broader support. Their vision is bold: to extend clean water and sanitation access not only throughout Khwisero but also to neighboring districts. To achieve this, they need stronger organizational resilience; dedicated staff, broader technical support, and more resources to scale their efforts.
This is exactly where EWB-USA’s Purposeful Partnership Model (PPM) comes in. The PPM is designed to strengthen local organizations like M-Koko, building their capacity to deliver sustainable infrastructure at scale. Rather than a string of isolated projects, the PPM creates a strategy for lasting regional impact, rooted in community leadership.
Catalyzing Change with Xylem
The next chapter of this story is being written with the support of Xylem, a global water technology company. This groundbreaking partnership includes a financial contribution to launch the PPM in Kenya, plus employee volunteer time and in-kind product donations. This support enables EWB‑USA to deepen partnerships with organizations like M‑Koko, expand their reach, build operational capacity, and strengthen their role in Kenya’s water sector.
Together, EWB-USA, M-Koko, and Xylem are working toward a bold goal: to provide 500,000 people in Kenya with sustainable access to clean water within three years. This is about more than expanding with new systems; it is also about ensuring those systems last. This is how we are coming together and creating generational change in health, education, and opportunity.
Stronger, Together
The partnership between EWB-USA and M-Koko has already shown what’s possible: reliable water in schools, healthier students, and communities that no longer have to walk miles for unsafe water. With Xylem’s catalytic investment, that impact can grow exponentially.
Rooted in community pace, uncompromising quality, and institutional ownership, M‑Koko’s approach has kept systems running years after installation. With EWB‑USA’s Purposeful Partnership Model, we’re poised to strengthen local capacity and expand sustainable water access toward our shared goal of reaching 500,000 people in Kenya within three years.