Kenyan-Born Swiss Leader Champions Fight Against Water Privatisation

Yvonne Apiyo Brändle Amolo, a Kenyan-born Swiss politician, artist, and activist, is leading international efforts to defend water as a human right and to resist its privatisation.

In Kenya, many communities continue to face severe challenges in accessing clean and affordable water, particularly in drought-affected regions and informal settlements in Nairobi. Amolo’s work highlights the risks of treating water as a commodity, arguing that decisions about supply and management should remain under public and community control rather than private profit.

Her advocacy is closely tied to the Blue Community movement, a global alliance of municipalities, universities, unions, faith groups, and civil society organisations committed to protecting water rights. As a Blue Community Ambassador, Amolo connects grassroots struggles in Kenya with international networks, enabling local activists to access expertise and visibility in global debates. 

One example is the Amani Kibera Water Project, which has introduced affordable, community-managed water services in Nairobi’s Kibera settlement, reducing reliance on expensive bottled water and long journeys to distant sources. Beyond infrastructure, Amolo has promoted training programmes for Kenyan activists, helping them to resist privatisation pressures and strengthen public water systems. 

These exchanges have allowed Kenyan leaders to adapt strategies from Europe and North America to local conditions. Her activism also extends into the arts. Identifying herself as a femme artivist, she uses film, dance, sculpture, multimedia installations, and even yodelling to explore themes of identity and belonging. Her short film Not Swiss Made examines the experiences of minorities in societies that marginalise them, blending artistic expression with civic engagement.

Amolo’s political career in Switzerland began after her involvement in community initiatives supporting immigrants and minority rights. Encouraged by the Social Democratic Party, she stood for office and was elected to the municipal parliament of Schlieren in Zurich in 2018. She continues to serve in this role, with her current term running until 2026, and also acts as a delegate for SP Migrants, focusing on inclusion and anti-discrimination policies.

Her work demonstrates how local struggles for water in Kenya are linked to wider global debates about equity and sustainability.