Report Shows Millions Lack Clean Drinking Water

A new water‑sector performance report has raised the alarm over millions of Kenyans still lacking access to safely managed drinking water. According to the Impact Report No. 17 (2023/24) by WASREB (Water Services Regulatory Board), only 39% of Kenya’s population has access to safely managed water — meaning water that is on‑premises, available when needed, and free from contamination.
The same report reveals that 16% of the population depends on unimproved sources — such as unprotected wells or springs — and 14% still access water directly from surface sources like rivers, lakes, or streams. These gaps expose large segments of the population to potentially unsafe water, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
In a separate global report by WHO and UNICEF, it was highlighted that one in four people worldwide (about 2.1 billion) still lack safely managed drinking water. For Kenya, this reinforces how critical the water challenge is — despite improvements, many communities remain left behind, especially in rural and low-income areas.
WASREB and health advocates are calling for urgent action: targeted investments in water infrastructure, stricter water quality monitoring, and prioritizing underserved areas. If left unaddressed, these water access gaps could undermine public health, especially for vulnerable populations.