PS warns over water shortage in Coast

By Joseph Masha

Kilifi, Coast: The Government has admitted that Coast is one of the regions facing an acute water shortage with an estimated two million people not accessing piped water.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water David Stower said the Government through the Coast Water Services Board (CWSB) could only supply water to about 35 per cent of the area’s population.

“The Government can adequately supply water to about 35 per cent of the total population in coast region, which is estimated to have a population of about 3.3 million people as per the 2009 census and that is a challenge,” said Eng Stower.

Stower said the Government and CWSB should look for donor funding and explore potential water sources to improve the supply.

He said the current water supply from the Mzima 1 pipeline and that of Baricho water pumping station at Lango Baya in Malindi cannot adequately meet the demand.

“Coast is growing very fast with many industries coming up, hotels and the population growth in the upcoming urban centres. The water supply has to be increased to meet the demand,” said Stower.

Vandalising system

The PS made the remarks at the coast main water station at Baricho in Malindi District on Thursday where he commissioned the project after its rehabilitation.

He said the rehabilitation has led to improved water supply by 30 per cent.

The chairman of CWSB, Athony Mrima, accompanied him.

The PS said although the water supply had tremendously increased meeting the water requirements of about one million people in the Coast, payment of power bills has been a big challenge.

He further noted that a lot of water was lost through leakages and vandalism of water systems.

Mr Mrima thanked the French Development Agency for funding the rehabilitation works.