Kenya: The World Bank has approved a Sh18 billion ($200m) loan to finance a dam and improve access to clean water in the country’s coastal region. The financing, part of a nationwide project seeking to help areas protect their water supplies, will go toward building Mwache Dam in Kwale County.
The financing will support the Kenya Coastal Region Water Security and Climate Resilience project, the second operation under an over-arching Kenya Water Security and Climate Resilience Programme (KWSCRP), which aims to build water security and climate resilience in the country. World Bank Country Director for Kenya Diarietou Gaye said availability of clean water is crucial for millions of Kenyans fighting to raise themselves out of poverty.
Vision 2030
“It is a priority for the country under its Vision 2030 and as it seeks to reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),” she added.
“This project will help to reduce health risks posed by water-borne and sanitation-related diseases, and in turn improve the economy and the environment, all factors that are vital to reducing poverty and achieving shared prosperity.”
The project will also support general development in Kwale County, through investments in water supply, sanitation, irrigation and sustainable livelihood practices for the largely rural communities in the area.
Water supply and sanitation activities will focus on eliminating open defecation, and helping achieve universal access to basic drinking water, sanitation and hygiene for households, schools and health facilities. The bank expects construction of the Mwache dam to address the significant shortage of bulk water supply to Mombasa and other coastal towns.
“In addition to supplying nearly 70 million cubic metres of water per year for Mombasa and Kwale, the project will increase resilience against floods and droughts, address food insecurity and constrained growth throughout the coastal region, ultimately benefitting approximately one million people,” said Gustavo Saltiel, World Bank’s Task Team Leader for the project.
He added, “The project whose emphasis is on improving the sustainability of the Mwache catchment will integrate watershed management with the needs of local communities to develop sustainable economic activities and improve the quality of life for families in the region.” Kenya is also engaging with other development partners like French development agency (AFD) in the exercise.
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