Why Kenya’s urban poor are exploited by unchecked informal water markets

Residents of Mokowe mainland in Lamu County queue to get water from a Tanker at Mokowe trading center.

Informal urban water markets – as opposed to piped water – have long supported many of Kenya’s urban areas. Those that use them are either unserved or inadequately served by public utilities.

A large number of people depend on them as only about 20 per cent of Nairobi residents who live in low-income areas have piped water.