Mombasa Water CeC Fatma Awale has said the water crisis in the region is expected to persist until 2019/2020, despite the completion of Mwache Dam in Kwale County.
Awale said residents require at least 186,000 cubic metres water supply daily in order to address the crisis, but the county is currently supplied with 46,000 cubic metres from the Baricho Dam.
“We purchase water from Coast Water, Baricho Dam and Mzima springs. There is a very big gap in terms of demand and supply. The water we get is very little,” said Awale.
The county executive said Likoni is among the most affected areas in the county, adding that the county government is working towards addressing the issue.
“Likoni gets 2000 cubic metres a day but the demand is 6000 cubic metres a day for those who are connected to the mains. The county government will dig more boreholes to address the shortage,” said Awale.
“Governor Hassan Joho went to France in November, last year and signed the water purchase agreement for Mwache Dam. Mombasa is supposed to get sufficient water supply after completion of the project,” she said.
Awale also assured the residents that the government is looking for alternative ways to solve the crisis.
“We will make use of our natural water to ensure every household has quality water. In two weeks time, advertisements of desalination project will be published,” she said, as quoted by Business Daily.