State requires Sh995bn to ensure nationwide access to water

To ensure each Kenyan has access to water, Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Muuga has revealed that Sh995 billion is needed to establish sufficient water sources for every household.

The Ministry's plan includes conducting comprehensive aquifer mapping to identify viable water sources, aiming to tackle the country's water scarcity issues sustainably.

The CS during an interview on Thursday explained that these funds will help develop adequate water systems across the country.

He highlighted that the challenge lies in Kenya's water storage issues, which have made sustainable solutions critical.

"If we look at Kenya, and to ensure everyone has access to water and we have enough sources, the Ministry has an investment vehicle; National Water and Sanitation Investment and Financing Plan and we need around Sh995 billion," Muuga stated.

Challenge

However, raising such funds poses a major challenge.

"For now if we look at all sources of revenue, this could be by 2030. With government funding, concession loans, Public-private partnership (PPP) and development partners, we can't raise more than Sh500 billion. You must have deliberate action and person of knowledge to know where you want to go," he added.

The Ministry has also unveiled several key projects aimed at addressing the water scarcity crisis.

The Horn of Africa Groundwater Resilience Program, for instance, will see over 400 boreholes drilled in northern Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, with the World Bank committing Ksh.49.8 billion for the project, which is already underway.

In November 2023, the Cabinet approved the rehabilitation of more than 4,000 water pans as part of a broader plan that also includes the construction of 25 medium-sized dams in arid regions.

This initiative, estimated to cost Sh83 billion, will serve more than 600,000 households.

Further development is underway with the Sh21 billion Thika and Githunguri Water and Sanitation Project in Kiambu County, which aims to benefit 1.2 million people over the next three years.

Additionally, Busia County has received Sh300 million for the completion of the Malaba-Malakisi water project, benefiting 180,000 households.

In Murang'a, the Athi Water Works Development Agency is constructing phase II of the Northern Collector tunnel at a cost of Sh12 billion.

As part of ongoing efforts to meet increasing water demand, Kiambu County will see the construction of five new dams, with an estimated cost of Sh73 billion.

One of the key projects is the construction of the Thika 3A dam, which will hold 14.6 billion litres of water.

The Ministry is also focusing on improving groundwater availability in the Horn of Africa borderlands through the Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Program (HOAGW4RP), which aims to support drought-prone counties such as Turkana, Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa.