A Sh20.4 billion water purification project in Mombasa supported by the World Bank has reached its final stage as the county government invited investors to kick-start implementation of the first phase.

Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa

The project aims at easing access to clean water for the over one million residents at the Coastal town.

Governor Hassan Joho on his official Tweeter account on Thursday said residents of one of Kenya's oldest town will have access to clean water after the completion of the project.

The investment is one of Mr Joho's ambitious plans to improve the livelihoods of the people of Mombasa.

"Currently we are inviting investors and development partners for the implementation phase," Mr Joho said.

"Soon, Mombasa will have its own fresh water source."

Th development comes five months after Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and Mr Joho signed the water purchase agreement that will see the World Bank fund the Mwache dam multi-purpose project.

"When the Mwache project is completed, it will supply 186 million litres of water a day to Mombasa residents," Mr Wamalwa was quoted by a local daily then.

Mr Joho said the initiative will bring to a close recurrent water shortages experienced by residents of the town.

The Mwache water project entails construction of a 77-metre high dam with a reservoir capacity of 133 million cubic metres.

When completed, the dam will supply 186,000 cubic metres of water to Mombasa and Kwale consumers.