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Some leaders possess a quiet strength and yet exude authority, such as Eng. Daniel Nganga. His presence is felt well before he arrives, marked by charisma, a sharp wit, and a commitment to excellence that challenges the status quo. Over the years, he has emerged as one of Kenya's most esteemed figures in the water sector, distinguishing himself not by conforming but by embracing his unique role in driving progress.

His story begins far from the polished boardrooms and high-profile stages where he now commands attention. It starts in a crowded, muddy homestead in Nakuru, Kenya, where he grew up as the sixth of twelve children in a polygamous family of twenty. Those early years, marked by scarcity, responsibility, and constant competition, shaped the discipline and determination that have defined his entire journey.

From an early age, he demonstrated a natural affinity for mathematics and science, which subsequently laid the groundwork for his successful engineering career. He enrolled at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering, financing much of his education through determination and perseverance. “I had to raise my own school fees,” he reflects. This experience sparked an entrepreneurial spirit that has remained with him throughout his journey. He later furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Policy.

His career embarked on a promising path within the road sector, contributing to significant infrastructure projects like Mbagathi Way. However, deep down, his true passion lay in the water sector, where he envisioned making a meaningful impact. In 2005, he took a pivotal step by joining Nyahururu Water as Technical Superintendent. It was here that he faced one of the most defining moments of his life. Presented with an enticing opportunity at Huawei, which would have dramatically increased his income from 28,000 shillings to an impressive 98,000 shillings, he found himself at a crossroads. With unwavering conviction, he declined the lucrative offer, recognizing that “sometimes quick money is not everything.” He remained steadfast in his commitment to the water sector, driven by a profound passion that guided his decision. “My heart was always in water,” he reflects, emphasizing the importance of following one’s true calling over mere financial gain.

In 2007, he joined Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (MUWASCO) as General Manager, tasked with setting up the new utility. The institution brought together teams from the Municipal Council, National Water and the Ministry of Water, each with its own culture, loyalties and resistance to change. “When I came in, the culture was bad,” he says. “There was resistance, fear of new systems and a lot of laziness.” To restore discipline and alignment, he introduced daily meetings, a structure that slowly united staff around a shared vision.

Five months into his role, he strengthened the sanitation component, expanding sewer coverage and creating new revenue streams. Today, Murang’a Water works closely with the Water Sector Trust Fund to build modern toilet facilities in both formal and informal settlements. The utility has advanced onsite sanitation and established strong partnerships with exhausters and the private sector. “With sewerage coverage still low, my advice to WSPs is to increase the budget for sanitation as we work toward actualizing Vision 2030,” he notes.

With consistency and firm leadership, Murang’a Water began to rise, first steadily and then remarkably, ultimately becoming one of the best performing WSPs as ranked by the Water Services Regulatory Board. As the company grew, he grew with it. Over eighteen years, the institution transformed under his leadership and now serves hundreds of thousands of residents with a workforce of more than 180 staff. His entrepreneurial drive also flourished, inspiring the creation of the Fort Aqua water franchise and Majicare Sacco at Murang’a Water.

Throughout his journey, he benefitted from the guidance of several influential mentors who significantly shaped his perspective on service and integrity. Dr Peter Munga, the founder of Equity Group and his first Board Chair, imparted valuable lessons on the importance of discipline, visionary thinking, and community-focused leadership. From Eng. Robert Gakubia the former CEO of the WASREB KENYA, he gained insight into the vital role of standards and regulatory adherence. “Eng. Gakubia was certainly firm, yet he instilled in us the understanding that our sector must be rooted in integrity,” he reflects. “The progress that WASREB has achieved is a testament to his unwavering commitment.” Additionally, Eng. Philip Gichuki of Tana Water Works Development Agency - (TWWDA) exemplified a calm and steady, people-centred approach to leadership, which continues to influence his own style.

Beyond institutional leadership, Eng. Ng’ang’a’s deepest passion lies in community service. His Corporate Social Responsibility footprint is wide and meaningful, driven by his belief that water work is, at its core, people work. Among his closest causes is the empowerment of women and girls. “Water is life and sanitation is dignity,” he says. “A girl should not miss school because of her period.” True to this conviction, Murang’a Water has distributed dignity kits to thousands of vulnerable girls, both as an internal initiative and through his role as a Male Champion for the Women in Water & Sanitation Association Kenya. Upon his entry into the utility organization, women constituted merely 10 percent of the workforce. Presently, they represent 45 percent of the total staff. His dedication to gender equity is complemented by a fervent commitment to the professional development of employees. Under his leadership, more than twenty individuals have successfully obtained fully sponsored Master’s degrees, and currently, two women are engaged in Ph.D. programs at esteemed universities in Kenya.

Upon his entry into the utility organization, women constituted merely 10 percent of the workforce. Presently, they represent 45 percent of the total staff. His dedication to gender equity is complemented by a fervent commitment to the professional development of employees. Under his leadership, more than twenty individuals have successfully obtained fully sponsored Master’s degrees, and currently, two women are engaged in Ph.D. programs at esteemed universities in Kenya.

Through the Masomo Bora Program, Murang’a Water has partnered with community leaders and teachers to support vulnerable children, sponsoring their education from high school to university. Many of these students secure attachment opportunities within the company, and the utility is exploring pathways to absorb qualified graduates.

Murang’a Water also runs a Social Connection Program that has provided free water connections to more than three thousand vulnerable households. Developed in partnership with PEWAK of the Netherlands, the program was so successful that the Water Services Regulatory Board adopted it as a Key Performance Indicator for all water utilities. The utility also collaborates with well wishers to ensure that households under various support programs receive reliable water supply.

Mentorship is another cornerstone of his leadership. He has guided numerous young engineers and works closely with the Institution of Engineers of Kenya to nurture future sector professionals. “Success takes time,” he tells them. “Let your growth be steady, not rushed.” For him, mentorship is a calling that honors the people who mentored him.

Environmental conservation is a deeply personal commitment for him, woven into the very fabric of his work. He has poured his heart into leading tree planting initiatives alongside the dedicated MUWASCO staff, generously donating thousands of seedlings from the utility’s nurturing nursery to schools, farmers, and public institutions in the community. His partnership with Water Resources Users Associations across the county reflects a heartfelt belief that caring for the environment is an essential part of ensuring water security for everyone.

Through participation in the New IBNet platform—a The World Bank initiative that empowers utilities to share data and learn from each other—Murang’a Water has been recognized for its strong data integrity, operational efficiency, and dedication to customer service. He is eager to uplift other Kenyan utilities by encouraging their participation in this platform, fostering a sense of community and shared growth. His leadership journey has even brought him to the global stage, where he represents Kenyan WSPs on the governing council of the International Water Association, advocating for the needs of his peers. Looking to the future, he recognizes the urgent need for progress in sanitation, gender inclusion, data intelligence, climate resilience, and stronger institutional governance. “We must strive to create utilities that not only survive in the present but also stand firm in the future,” he emphasizes, speaking from a place of compassion for the communities they serve.

When contemplating his legacy, he reflects thoughtfully, “I hope that when I leave Murang’a Water, I will be remembered for the lives I have touched.” The evidence of his impact is felt throughout the community, manifested in the girls who have been able to stay in school, the families experiencing access to clean water for the first time, the engineers he has guided, the women he has empowered, and the communities that have been rejuvenated through his environmental endeavors.

Each of these lives represents a story of hope, resilience, and shared success.