Blame game as Kilifi County, Coast Water Works Agency clash over water shortage

Blame games have erupted between the Kilifi County Government and the Coast Water Works Development Agency (CWWDA) over a severe water shortage that has persisted for more than a month, leaving thousands of residents struggling without access to clean water.

The standoff has sparked public frustration, with each side accusing the other of being responsible for the crisis. Kilifi County claims that the national agency has failed to produce enough water, while the CWWDA insists the problem stems from unpaid debts owed by the county’s water service companies, which have crippled its operations.

CWWDA Chairman, Dr Daniel Mwaringa, said the disruption in water supply to Kilifi and other counties was a result of the suspension of services to county-owned water companies due to the accumulation of unpaid bills.

“For now, the water shortage is caused by services that we have been forced to suspend. This is because our water companies, which are owned by county governments such as KIMAWASCO and MAWASCO, have failed to settle their debts. Unfortunately, the payments made only cover up to May, and even those were incomplete,” said Dr Mwaringa.

Dr Mwaringa noted that the agency has been unable to maintain its infrastructure or respond to emergencies such as burst pipes due to the mounting debts. He explained that most of their major water projects were funded through loans, not grants, which must be repaid regularly.

“These loans were not grants, and when it becomes difficult for us to pay back, we face serious challenges. Our loan repayment depends on the revenue we receive from these county water companies. When they fail to pay, our entire system is affected,” he said.

He appealed to county governments to take responsibility by clearing the pending bills, saying this would allow the agency to resume normal water services to the public.

“We have water available and are ready to supply it, but we also need the county water companies to pay their debts. For example, chlorination, which is essential for water treatment, is an expensive process. We urge residents to understand that this is a shared challenge that can only be resolved through cooperation,” Dr Mwaringa added.

However, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro dismissed the claims, saying the county government has done its part to improve water infrastructure but depends entirely on the Coast Water Works Agency for bulk water supply.

“The current water problem is not caused by the Kilifi County Government. In the past three years, we have invested heavily in infrastructure and paid over Sh 20 million to Kenya Power for new transformers in various areas. But we cannot distribute air; the water must come from Coast Water,” Mung’aro stated.

Mung’aro revealed that three key boreholes in Langobaya had broken down, affecting supply across several areas. He said he had spoken to the County Water CECM to ensure the repairs were being expedited.

“We expect that some water will start flowing again soon, but the supply will still be very limited. I urge Kilifi residents to be patient as we work on all possible solutions,” he said.

He further accused the Coast Water Works Agency of playing politics instead of addressing the real issue. He alleged that the agency’s officials had taken to social media to criticise the county, yet they were responsible for delivering bulk water.

“Some of the same people attacking us online are the ones who should be supplying us with water. Coast Water cannot continue to withhold water from Kilifi while we suffer. If this continues, we will have no choice but to close the valves and retain all the water for Kilifi,” he warned.

The governor also questioned why CWWDA had failed to recover old debts said to have accumulated over the past 20 years.

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• Headlines
• Coast
• Water Shortage
• Kilifi County
• water crisis
• Coast Water Works Agency
• Coast Water Works Development Agency
• CWWDA
• Blame game as Kilifi County
• Coast Water Works Agency clash over water shortage

“They claim we owe them, but there are over five million shillings in bills from many years ago. If that’s true, why didn’t they act earlier? We have always made promises and payments whenever possible,” he said.

Mung’aro insisted that the current problem was not linked to electricity disconnections or unpaid bills, but rather the breakdown of key boreholes and delays in repairs.

“Our residents are suffering because the boreholes are not functioning. I call on the national government and Coast Water to make every effort to restore the water supply to Kilifi,” he said.

The prolonged water crisis has sparked anger and desperation among residents, particularly in Malindi, Langobaya, and parts of Kilifi North, who have been forced to rely on expensive water vendors or unsafe sources.

Local leaders and activists have urged both levels of government to stop the blame game and prioritise restoring clean water access, warning that the situation could worsen if left unresolved.