According to empirical evidence, a significant portion of Kilifi County residents lack access to clean water.
These estimates suggest that around 27% of the population, or roughly 300,000 people, do not have access to piped water based on data indicating that only 73% of the population has access to piped water in Kilifi County.
Key points about water access in Kilifi County:
- Large water deficit: Kilifi County faces a substantial water supply gap, with demand significantly exceeding available water.
- Rural communities most affected: Rural areas within Kilifi County often experience the most severe water shortages, forcing residents to travel long distances to access water.
- Impact on women and children: Women and children are disproportionately affected by water scarcity due to their role in fetching water.
But there is hope as Kilifi County Government has partnered with different investors to build a sustainable water infrastructure.
Kilifi County received funding for water projects from the World Bank, the Water Service Trust Fund (WSTF), and other sources.
World Bank: The World Bank has funded water projects in Kilifi, including a water distribution project in Kilifi Town and a project to address water shortages in Kilifi and Mombasa Counties.
Water Service Trust Fund (WSTF): The WSTF has funded the construction of a public sanitation facility by the Kilifi-Mariakani Water and Sewerage Company Limited (KIMAWASCO).
The first funding to Kilifi County Government by the World Bank has enabled Kilifi County Government to implement a Sh2.58 billion water reticulation projects.
This funding has enabled undertaking significant water projects in Malindi, Kilifi, and Mtwapa towns in a bid to enhance water reticulation by installing new pipelines to replace old ones.
“We have invested Sh580 million through the World Bank here in Kilifi town, Sh1.2 billion in Malindi, and Sh800 million in Mtwapa for water reticulation,” Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro
Kilifi Mariakani Water and Sanitation Company (KIMAWASCO) is mandated to provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable quality water and sanitation services to residents of Kilifi County.
KIMAWASCO ensures access to clean water for all within its service area. Sub-counties served by KIMAWASCO are Rabai, Kaloleni, Ganze, Kilifi South, and parts of Kilifi North,
The Company operates in Kilifi north and south sub counties and Kaloleni and entirely encompassing an area of 4998 square kilometers
According to KIMAWASCO, the water coverage is almost 68% however most parts still lack access to water services due to absences of piped networks.
The current world bank funding is significant in improving water supply in KIMAWASCO operational areas and other Kilifi areas reached by Malindi Water and Sewerage Company (MAWASCO) to minimize water rationing which has been the order of the day.
This 2.58 billion funding from the World Bank will boost Kilifi County efforts to enhance access to clean and safe drinking water.
The Project funded through the Coast Water Works Development Agency (CWWDA) under the Water and Sanitation Development Project (WSDP) is located within Kilifi County.
It aims at improving water supply to Malindi, Watamu, Kilifi and Gongoni towns and their surrounding environs including the communities living along the pipeline route within Lango Baya, Kakoneni, Jilore and Kakuyuni centers.
The target areas fall within the jurisdiction of both Kilifi-Mariakani Water and Sewerage Company (KIMAWASCO) and Malindi Water and Sewerage Company (MAWASCO).
The project provides a new additional pipeline from Baricho to Kakuyuni, associated electromechanical works and new reservoir at Kakuyuni, transmission mains from Kakuyuni reservoir to Ganda tanks and transmission mains from Kakuyuni reservoir to Kilifi tanks.
The Baricho to Kakuyuni pipeline in Kilifi County, Kenya, has been completed, and has significantly increased water supply to areas like Malindi and its surrounding regions by providing a reliable source of clean drinking water.
This project is considered a major milestone towards ending water rationing in Kilifi County.
The Baricho-Kakuyuni Water Supply Project was commissioned in July 2024 by Kenyan President William Ruto.
The project’s completion is expected to improve water supply to Kilifi and Mombasa counties, and end the need for water rationing.
The water source, Baricho Well field, has in the recent past undergone significant expansion and rehabilitation works which has increased its capacity by 22,000 m3/day to a total production of 112,000 m3/day.
Out of the total production, 60,000 m3/day will be conveyed to Mombasa City through the Mombasa pipeline and the remaining 52,000 m3/day to Malindi, Watamu, Kilifi and Gongoni towns.
For more information about KIMAWASCO, visit https://www.kilifiwater.co.ke/
