Kenya Develops Plan to Boost Urban Water Supply
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Government
Five-year Master Plan to Enhance Access to Piped Water
Kenyan government has developed a five-year master plan to enhance access to piped water and basic sanitation in cities, government officials said on Tuesday.
"We have experienced rapid urbanization that has in turn exerted pressure on basic services including clean water and sanitation. The government has mobilized resources to expand water supply and sewerage infrastructure in big cities and rural towns," said Environment, Water and Natural Resources Principal Secretary James Teko Lopoyetum.
He spoke during an international forum to discuss urban renewal through expanding access to water supply and sanitation services.
The International Water Association, Nairobi county government and city utilities organized the "Cities of the future workshop".
Kenya is grappling with urban water supply crises due to population growth, poor planning and aging infrastructure.
Lopoyetum noted that per capita water availability in cities has declined hence posing serious health and environmental challenges.
To offset water supply deficit in cities, the government has channelled resources towards the rehabilitation of infrastructure in the informal settlements.
The Principal Secretary revealed that a five year strategic plan developed in conjunction with utilities focus on policy and financing interventions that would solve urban water crises.
"Provision of water in urban areas lies in the prudent management of the resource, application of appropriate technologies and investments in new infrastructure," Lopoyetum told water experts.
Water security will promote sustainable urbanization and social harmony in Kenya.
Lopoyetum noted that Kenya's vision 2030 identifies cities as engines of innovation and socioeconomic transformation.
"Our long-term goal is to develop efficient water supply and sewerage system in the growing cities. We need to strengthen action on water loss in urban areas through leakages and cartels," Lopoyetum said.
Competing demands from agriculture and industry has undermined clean water provision in cities.
Nairobi county leaders noted that depletion of upstream catchments, pollution and illegal diversions have denied city residents portable water.
"Inadequate access to water and sanitation has impacted on the sustainability of human settlements. These challenges have enormous consequences on human health, safety, the environment and economic growth," remarked Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero.
Government statistics indicate that an estimated 60 percent and 48 percent of urban population have access to clean water and basic sanitation respectively.
The Nairobi Governor noted that water insecurity in Nairobi has reached alarming levels due to policy, infrastructure and funding gaps.
"Nairobi loses 40 percent of water through illegal connections mainly in the slums. We have developed a legislation to ban these cartels and ensure the commodity reach citizens," Kidero said.
He noted that the new urban master-plan for Nairobi roots greater investments in water supply and sanitation services.
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