Ministry improving Coast water supply

NAIROBI: The Coast region experiences a water supply deficit that must be addressed. The water demand in the region is about 365,000 cubic metres per day, against a supply of 160,000 cubic metres, but as the population grows and development increases, demand will grow even more over the next four years.

I have therefore focused my attention on seeing through the investments required to bridge the water supply gap.

I am also obliged by Article 21 of the Constitution to take all measures necessary to achieve realisation of the rights guaranteed under Article 43, one of which is the right to clean and safe water. Top priority on the projects list is implementation of Mwache Dam in Kwale County. The project is expected to cost Sh20 billion and will be a game-changer in the region’s water fortunes once completed.

The dam will be the major source of additional water supply to Mombasa, providing 186,000 cubic metres daily, with a water storage capacity of 118 million cubic metres when completed in about five years’ time.  Water from the dam will have a very significant impact on the water supply deficit of Mombasa City, which currently stands at over 100,000 cubic metres daily.

The surrounding areas of the dam and especially the larger Kwale County will also benefit from investments of Sh2.5 billion targeted at addressing the county’s water supply and sanitation needs. Some Sh20 billion of these funds have been provided by the World Bank and preparations for implementation are already underway.

The French Development Agency (AFD) will support the project by providing Sh5.6 billion while the rest of the funds will come from the government of South Korea.

The other top priority project in the region is the additional water supply pipeline to Mombasa from the Mzima Springs (Mzima II) located in Taita Taveta County. The project is expected to cost Sh45 billion and the Government has already approached the Government of China (EXIM Bank) for financial support for the Project.

This Mzima 2 Pipeline Project will supplement the existing 220km pipeline constructed in 1954 and will provide an additional supply of 100,000 cubic metres per day to Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa Counties. We hope to secure the funds soon and implement the project which should only take about 45 months to complete.

A “Waste Water Master Plan for the Coast Region” is ongoing and it is expected to be completed early 2016. The rural population has not been left out as the ‘Drought Mitigation Master Plan for Coast Region” is also ongoing and the study will be completed by December 2015.

The other major project recently completed in the region is the rehabilitation of Baricho Water Works at a cost of Sh1 billion, with support from the French Development Agency (AFD).

The water works are located in Kilifi County. Other projects include the rehabilitation of Tiwi Boreholes and Marere Pipeline in Kwale County at a cost of Sh350 million (World Bank support) and Sh1.2 billion (AFD support) respectively, which has greatly improved water supply provision in both Kwale and Mombasa counties.

Rehabilitation of water supply facilities for Hola and Lamu towns will also be fast-tracked because of the major development works going on at the proposed new Lamu Port.

The water distribution networks in the towns of Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Voi and Malindi have also been recently rehabilitated.

Mombasa County has also entered into an understanding with Toyota Tsusho Corporation for construction of a 100,000 cubic metres-per-day desalination plant for the Mombasa City.