Marsabit County has unveiled a KSh 86.6 million Water Supply Enhancement Programme to improve access to clean and reliable water for low-income and underserved communities.
M-PESA Foundation, Millennium Water Alliance and Marsabit County Government have partnered to strengthen water storage, upgrade distribution networks and expand household water connections.
The KSh 86.6 million WASEP initiative seeks to address persistent water shortages in Marsabit County through improved infrastructure, strategic partnerships and sustainable water service delivery.
The County Government of Marsabit has announced a KSh 86.6 million Water Supply Enhancement Programme (WASEP) aimed at improving access to clean and reliable water for low-income and underserved communities, as the county intensifies efforts to address longstanding water shortages.
The programme, which will be jointly financed by the Millennium Water Alliance, M-PESA Foundation and the County Government of Marsabit through the Marsabit Water and Sewerage Company (MARWASCO), will focus on strengthening water storage infrastructure, upgrading distribution networks and expanding household water connections.
The initiative was discussed during a meeting between the Marsabit County Governor and representatives from MARWASCO, Millennium Water Alliance and M-PESA Foundation, where the partners explored implementation arrangements and strategies for improving water service delivery.
According to the county government, the programme will prioritise communities within MARWASCO's water supply area that have historically experienced challenges accessing adequate and reliable water.
The investment is expected to contribute to ongoing efforts to reduce water supply gaps, strengthen existing infrastructure and improve the availability of safe water for households.
KSh 86.6 Million Investment Targets Underserved Communities
The Water Supply Enhancement Programme represents a joint investment by the county government and development partners to improve water infrastructure and expand access to essential services.
Through the KSh 86.6 million initiative, the partners intend to address weaknesses in existing water supply systems that have contributed to unreliable access, particularly among low-income households.
The programme will focus on three major interventions: strengthening water storage capacity, improving water distribution networks and increasing household connections.
Improved storage infrastructure is expected to enhance the capacity of water supply systems to manage available resources and maintain more consistent service delivery.
Upgrading distribution networks could also help address inefficiencies in water transmission and improve the movement of water from supply facilities to communities.
Meanwhile, the expansion of household connections is intended to bring water services closer to residents, potentially reducing the time and effort required to access water.
For underserved communities, these improvements could contribute to better household hygiene, public health and overall living conditions.
The county government has identified the programme as an important intervention in its wider efforts to address persistent water challenges and expand essential infrastructure.
Marsabit Seeks Solutions to Persistent Water Shortages
Access to adequate and reliable water remains a significant development challenge in Marsabit County, where arid and semi-arid conditions frequently affect water availability.
Many communities depend on water infrastructure that can be vulnerable to prolonged dry periods, changing rainfall patterns and increasing demand.
These challenges can place additional pressure on households, particularly those living in underserved areas where access to established water distribution networks remains limited.
The county government acknowledged that improving water access has been a longstanding priority, noting that sustained investment is necessary to address the problem.
In its statement announcing the programme, the county leadership reaffirmed its commitment to expanding water services and reducing the difficulties residents experience in accessing reliable supplies.
"For our people, access to reliable water has been a longstanding challenge. Addressing this perennial problem has been one of my key commitments to the people of Marsabit, and we are steadily turning that commitment into tangible progress," the Governor said.
The statement reflects the county administration's position that improving water infrastructure is central to strengthening service delivery and supporting community wellbeing.
Although the county continues to face significant water access challenges, the administration views partnerships with development organisations as an important mechanism for mobilising resources and accelerating infrastructure improvements.
MARWASCO to Support Water Infrastructure Improvements
MARWASCO will play a central role in the implementation of the Water Supply Enhancement Programme, particularly in coordinating improvements within its existing service area.
As the county's water service provider, the company is expected to contribute technical and operational expertise to the planned interventions.
The programme's focus on storage, distribution and household connections reflects the importance of strengthening different components of the water supply system to improve service reliability.
Water storage facilities are essential for managing available supplies and supporting distribution during periods of fluctuating demand.
Similarly, well-maintained distribution networks are important for reducing water losses, improving operational efficiency and ensuring that available water reaches intended consumers.
Expanding household connections can also improve convenience and accessibility, particularly for residents who currently depend on shared water points or other supply arrangements.
By targeting these areas, WASEP seeks to strengthen the overall effectiveness of water service delivery rather than focusing solely on the development of new water sources.
The initiative is also expected to support efforts to improve the sustainability of existing water infrastructure through coordinated planning and investment.
M-PESA Foundation and Millennium Water Alliance Back Water Expansion
The participation of M-PESA Foundation and Millennium Water Alliance highlights the role of development partnerships in addressing water infrastructure gaps in underserved regions.
Both organisations will co-finance the programme alongside the County Government of Marsabit through MARWASCO.
The collaboration brings together county-level service delivery responsibilities and external development financing to support improvements in water access.
Such partnerships can help local governments mobilise additional resources, strengthen technical cooperation and implement infrastructure projects that respond to community needs.
For Marsabit, where the demand for reliable water infrastructure remains substantial, collaboration with development partners offers an opportunity to complement county investments.
The programme also demonstrates the importance of coordinating infrastructure development with existing service providers to promote operational sustainability.
However, the county government has not yet provided a detailed breakdown of the financial contributions from each partner, the number of households expected to receive new connections or the programme's implementation timeline.
These details will be important in assessing the scope of the planned interventions and monitoring progress once implementation begins.
Improved Water Access Expected to Support Public Health
Beyond infrastructure development, the Water Supply Enhancement Programme could contribute to improved public health and household wellbeing by increasing access to safe and reliable water.
Access to clean water is essential for drinking, food preparation, personal hygiene and sanitation.
Where water supplies are inadequate or unreliable, households may face additional challenges maintaining hygiene standards and meeting everyday domestic needs.
Improved access to water can help reduce dependence on potentially unsafe sources while supporting better sanitation practices.
The expansion of household connections could be particularly beneficial for families who currently spend considerable time obtaining water from distant or shared sources.
Reducing the time required to collect water can create opportunities for other activities, including education, household responsibilities and income generation.
Women and children often bear a significant share of household water collection responsibilities in communities with limited access to nearby water services.
Bringing water closer to homes could therefore help reduce these burdens, although the scale of such benefits will depend on the locations reached and the reliability of the improved supply.
The programme's focus on low-income and underserved communities also reflects the importance of equitable access to essential public services.
Water Infrastructure Critical to Climate Resilience
The planned investment comes amid broader concerns about water security and climate resilience in Kenya's arid and semi-arid regions.
Marsabit County is particularly vulnerable to prolonged dry conditions, which can affect water resources, livestock production, household livelihoods and access to essential services.
Strengthening water storage and distribution systems is one way of improving communities' ability to cope with changing environmental conditions.
Reliable water infrastructure can help reduce disruptions in supply and support more effective management of available resources.
However, infrastructure improvements must be accompanied by sustainable water resource management, maintenance planning and measures to protect existing water sources.
The Water Supply Enhancement Programme provides an opportunity to integrate these considerations into county-level water service planning.
By improving existing systems and expanding connections, the programme could contribute to broader efforts to strengthen resilience among communities facing persistent water scarcity.
The county government's emphasis on strategic partnerships also highlights the need for sustained financing and coordinated action to address long-term water security challenges.
County Reaffirms Commitment to Universal Water Access
During the meeting with development partners, the Marsabit County leadership acknowledged that achieving universal access to safe and reliable water remains an ongoing challenge.
The administration nevertheless expressed confidence that targeted investments and partnerships would help expand services to more households.
"While the journey towards universal access to reliable water remains ongoing, programmes such as WASEP represent an important step in the right direction," the Governor said.
The county leadership emphasised that addressing water shortages requires sustained investment, effective partnerships and a shared commitment to improving public service delivery.
"Through strategic partnerships, sustained investment and a shared commitment to service delivery, we are working towards a future where more households can access safe and reliable water closer to home," the Governor added.
The statement underscores the administration's intention to pursue gradual improvements in water infrastructure while working towards broader access across the county.
The WASEP initiative also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6, which seeks to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
For Marsabit, progress towards this objective will depend on continued investment in water infrastructure, effective management of existing resources and the expansion of services to communities that remain underserved.
Focus Shifts to Implementation and Sustainable Service Delivery
With the KSh 86.6 million programme now announced, attention will turn to implementation arrangements, the selection of priority areas and the delivery of planned infrastructure improvements.
The success of WASEP will depend on effective coordination between the County Government of Marsabit, MARWASCO, Millennium Water Alliance and M-PESA Foundation.
Clear implementation timelines, transparent financial management and regular monitoring will be important in ensuring that the programme achieves its intended objectives.
Long-term maintenance of upgraded infrastructure will also be necessary to sustain improvements in water supply reliability.
For residents in low-income and underserved communities, the programme represents a potential opportunity to gain better access to an essential service that has remained difficult to obtain consistently.
While the initiative will not resolve all of Marsabit's water challenges, it marks a planned investment in strengthening the infrastructure required to improve service delivery.
As the county continues pursuing solutions to persistent water shortages, the Water Supply Enhancement Programme is expected to contribute to wider efforts to improve living conditions, strengthen community resilience and expand access to clean water.
The KSh 86.6 million partnership represents another step towards Marsabit County's long-term objective of ensuring that more households have access to safe, reliable and affordable water closer to their homes.