Over 400 local fundis, plumbers, and contractors received official NCA technical certification today at Kitengela town, Kajiado County, as BioTank Africa convened the largest edition yet of its Fundi Forum. The event officially marked BioTank Africa’s new county-by-county initiative to upskill thousands of construction tradespeople across Kenya on modern, sustainable biodigester and wastewater technology.
Kitengela was strategically selected due to its rapid real estate expansion paired with the absence of widespread municipal sewer coverage; a dynamic common across Kenya’s emerging urban centres, where property developers rely heavily on decentralised wastewater solutions. Water Services Regulatory Board data shows only about 9 per cent of Kenya’s population — roughly 5 million people — is connected to a municipal sewer network, leaving onsite sanitation as the primary solution nationwide.
Highlighting the strategic evolution behind the county rollout and the vital role of grassroots tradespeople in national development, Edwin Kirugo, Founder and General Manager at BioTank Africa, noted:
“Our fundis are our primary brand ambassadors on the ground, making sure every installation protects public health and meets strict quality standards. With over 90 percent of the country depending on onsite sanitation, the artisans we accredit today are directly building safer, cleaner communities for tomorrow. Taking this Forum county by county ensures we take world-class technical training directly to where fast-paced construction is actually happening.”
The event also marks a key milestone for BioTank Africa as it celebrates eight years in the Kenyan market. It follows the April launch of the company’s “Kuwa Mbele Jenga Easy” campaign, the opening of its Nakuru branch, and upcoming plans to roll out a nationwide distributor network.
The day-long practical training drive directly responds to a major national technical gap. Data from the National Construction Authority (NCA) indicates that while over 90% of Kenyan developments rely on onsite wastewater systems, only 30% of local construction artisans hold formal technical training. Participating artisans at today’s Kitengela Forum completed structured practical modules and were awarded official technical accreditation certificates issued directly by the NCA, as part of the regulator’s ongoing partnership with BioTank Africa to formalise skills and safeguard installation, safety, and environmental standards on site.
“Fundis should be agents of compliance, because if you build without proper licences, you are the one who will be arrested,” said James Karatu, President of the Real Building Workers Association of Kenya (REBWAK); a member organisation representing construction workers and promoting compliance and worker welfare. He urged fundis to see themselves as agents of accountability, also cautioning artisans on the need for financial literacy, noting that many fundis, paid daily wages, struggle to manage their earnings.
Now in its fourth edition and the largest yet — after the inaugural Forum in 2023 — the initiative is scaling up significantly to meet growing nationwide demand. By transitioning from localised sessions into a mobile, county-by-county rollout, BioTank Africa is expanding its scope to build an accredited network of skilled artisans across Kenya.
“When the fundi grows, the standards improve, and the customer wins. Construction and sanitation industries are evolving every day. Today’s customer is more informed, and with AI, customers are the ones now searching for the fundis they want. A fundi of today is one who is always learning, keeps up with changing technology, maintains high standards, and is trustworthy. As a fundi, reputation is your capital,” added Mr Kirugo, of the forum dubbed; Fundi Bora Kazi Bora.
The Forum also spotlighted the growing role of women in the trade. Nellygrace Korika, 25, a plumber from Njiru, Kasarani, Nairobi, with two years in the trade, attended to learn and network: “As women, we can also be good plumbers. I came here to learn and network. Plumbing is always changing, and I wanted to know what the latest innovations are, plus these events also give me jobs.”
For returning artisans, the Forum’s value compounds year on year. Hassan Isadia, a plumber from Eldoret with a decade of practice who has attended the Forum for four consecutive years, said the training has directly grown his business: “This training has helped me grow my business. I get more customers as I get the latest skills. I am happy I got certification today from NCA.”
The forum featured live installation demonstrations, practical business clinics to help artisans formalise their enterprises, and one-on-one access to technical experts. Architect.
Key Event Highlights
- Artisan Upskilling: Hands-on training on 3-chamber biodigester setup, maintenance, and site safety.
- National Certification: Official NCA accreditation issued to participating fundis and plumbers.
- Economic Empowerment: Business growth clinics covering formal trade registration and client acquisition.
