Current clean water accessibility nationally stands at 56 percent

Over thirty-five percent of Kenyans do not have access to water according to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Water.

Things are, however, rosy for their urban colleagues where 65 percent of them have access to clean water while only 49 percent in the rural areas have access.

This emerged during celebrations to mark the World Water Day that was held in Mirera primary school in Naivasha on Tuesday (22^nd March 2016).

According to the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Water and Irrigation Eugene Wamalwa, the current water coverage nationally stood at 56 percent.

“The Ministry is implementing projects all over the country to increase the coverage to over 58 percent by the end of June and ensure all Kenyans are adequately served,” he said.

However, he noted that the increase in coverage will be achieved through the construction and expansion of water supply schemes in the urban and rural areas.

Furthermore, Wamalwa noted that within the last three years, the Ministry had commenced construction of major projects in the country.

The projects are Northern Collector Tunnel, Mwache Dam in Coast Region and Thwake Dam to serve Makueni, Kitui and Konza City.

In addition, the CS noted that the sector had continued to face challenges that immensely affect the sustainability of water services.

“One such impediment to sustainability has been Non-Revenue Water whose ratio in Kenya is currently at 42%,” Wamalwa stated.

“This figure means that half of treated water produced in the entire country is lost which results in the loss of half of the revenue which could have been used for further improvement of water access,” he added.

On his part, the chairman of the Water Services Trust Fund Musikari Kombo said that the country had received Ksh 1.1 nillion grant from Denmark towards water projects.

“The cash will be used to assist communities in Arid and Semi arid area of Kenya in terms of water provision,” Kombo said.

Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua, who also graced the occasion, said that water accessibility in the region has increased from 45 to 62 percent since he took over.

He further said that in the last financial year, the county had allocated the Department of Water Ksh 261m with the funds set to increase in the coming years.

“The visit by the President to Nakuru County was beneficial as we shall be able to sort out the issue of high fluoride in water consumed in Naivasha,” he said.

On his part, Naivasha MP John Kihagi termed the high levels of fluoride in water consumed in Naivasha as a major crisis.