Our Focus on Water

Why We Focus On Water

The supply of reliable and sufficient quantity and quality water is a fundamental building block for a country’s economic and social development

Kenya’s water sector remains in transition following the devolution reforms as county governments have assumed responsibility for water service delivery. 88 regulated water service providers operate a combined service area of 22 million people, equivalent to 46% of Kenya’s estimated 48 million people. However, self-reported data suggests that these utilities currently provide water to only 12 million of the 22 million people in their service areas.

Sector At A Glance

The Sector

Only 55% of Kenyans have access to clean and safe drinking water

Water
Others

The water supply sub-sector contributes approximately 0.7% of the GDP.

The water supply sub-sector is a source of direct employment for over 200,000 people

As well as individuals entrepreneurs (masons, plumbers, technicians) and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Per capita available water is about 647m cubic per year against a global benchmark of 1000m cubic per year. Future projections show that by 2030, per capita water availability will drop to 475 m cubic per year as a result of population growth.

The Market

Continuous Water
Not Continuous

Only 44% Water service providers in Kenya provide continuous water supply as of 2012/2013.

Urban water tariffs are high by regional standards (US$ 0.46 per m cubic on average in 2007)

Although urban water tariffs are high by regional standards (US$ 0.46 per m cubic on average in 2007) the level of cost recovery is low due to a high level of non revenue water( Average of 42%) and high cost.

Dynamics Of The Sector

General Supply Trends

In Kenya, water coverage stands at 54% for urban and 51% for rural

At the current annual growth averaging 1% attaining both vision 2030(100%) and the SDG(100%) targets looks beyond reach

Covered
Not Covered

In Kenya, water coverage stands at 54% for urban areas.

Covered
Not Covered

In Kenya, water coverage stands at 51% for rural areas.

Water Access Via Formal Utilities

In 29 of the counties, more than 50% of the population lives outside areas served by formal utilities.

There are 91 water utilities under WASREEB regulation

of which 19% are in very large category, 8% in medium size category, 45% in large category and 28% in small category.

Very Large
Medium
Large
Small

11.4 Billion Lost Annually

Due to inefficiency at utility level, the country loses 42% of water drawn from the sources, resulting into a net loss of Ksh. 11.4 billion annually.

Ksh. 100B

Kenya needs Ksh. 100 billion annually so it can achieve the universal access to water and sanitation to all by 2030.

General Demand Trends

Water Coverage In Urban Areas

Have Access
No Access

In Kenya, the water coverage level in urban areas currently stands at 54%, which implies that despite the increase in people served; demand continues to increase driven mainly by the increase population and the high rate of urbanization.

GDP of US$99.246 Billion & Per Capita GDP of $2,010

As of 2019, Kenya had an estimated GDP of $99.246 billion and per capita GDP of $2,010 making it the 62nd largest economy in the world. Kenya is considered a middle income nation.

Key Sector Challenges

Water Provision

Water provision at utility level is shrouded by numerous inefficiencies which hamper effective services delivery.

Lack Of Data

There is chronic lack of data from rural areas to measure performance output and set the sector on the right growth trajectory.

Unreliability Of Supply

Reliance on voluntary water users associations in rural areas has resulted in high unreliability of services. During service breakdown, poor people buy water either from expensive water vendors or travel long distances to collect water from rivers, wells, and ponds.