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.
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
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.
Limited Management Skills
Limited management skills and non-adoption of contemporary management tools and knowledge contribute to continued inefficiencies in the sector.
What Are Our Interventions?
Service Delivery Models
To inspire emergence and adoption of service delivery models for water utilities.
B2B Linkage
To facilitate B2B linkage for climate smart, ICT, green financing and technological innovation.
Services Expansion
To catalyze market-led approach for “base-of-pyramid” services expansion.
Water Utilities
To facilitate the management of non-revenue water in water utilities.
Systemic Change Indicators

85%
of Kenyans to have access to clean and safe drinking water.
30%
Reduction in Non-Revenue Water.
And Water utilities attaining financial sustainability i.e. O&M cost recovery.
25%
Water utilities using climate smart technologies in production and delivery
Water utilities attain financial sustainability i.e Full cost recovery
90%
Water systems ruction throughout their life span
Learn About Our Work in the Water Sector
Our Research
Facilitating markets through research for evidence-based interventions
Our Case Studies
Actual examples of how our work is making a change
Our Blog
Opinion pieces and editorials on our work and related activities
Impact Stories
Stories from all over Kenya on how our work is impacting the lives of people