New Report Highlights Inequality in Access to Safe Water

A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF has laid bare stark inequalities in access to safe drinking water across Kenya, with underserved populations lagging significantly behind. According to the Progress on Household Drinking Water and Sanitation 2000–2024 study, vulnerable rural communities and poorer households are disproportionately left out of reliably safe water services.
The Commission on Revenue Allocation’s State of Inequality in Kenya report further underscores this divide: while urban counties such as Nairobi and Kiambu boast water access rates above 80 percent, parts of the country — especially in arid and semi-arid counties like Mandera, Samburu, and Kitui — report rates below 40 percentThese figures suggest that over half of Kenya’s population still relies on unprotected wells, open streams, or other unsafe sources.
Experts say that the gap reflects deeper structural issues: water infrastructure remains underdeveloped in poorer and remote regions, while affordability remains a barrier even in urban areas. The social and economic cost is high: lack of access to clean water contributes to poor health, lost school days, and limits economic productivity.
Looking ahead, advocacy groups and water authorities are calling for urgent, targeted interventions. The Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) has set ambitious goals under its National Water and Sanitation Investment Plan (NAWASIP) — including universal safe water access by 2030. Reformers argue that closing the gap will require stronger county-level investment, equitable pricing models, and aggressive expansion of water systems into marginalized regions.