Residents of Kibera have for a long time been living with little or no access to clean water for domestic use.
Getting clean water that is safe for drinking and cooking has usually been one of the greatest challenges in the slums owing to poor drainage systems and sanitation in these highly populated areas. These conditions predispose the slum dwellers to water-borne diseases, especially during the rainy seasons. However, such cases could be long forgotten in the near future after the government hinted on installing more water ATMs in the slums.
Following numerous cartels existing in the Nairobi water supply company, the Kenyan government has opted to develop and install new ATM-like water dispensers to conveniently provide clean water to the residents of major slum residential areas in Nairobi. The move is expected to kick off after the piloting project in Mathare slums proved efficient.
In the initiative, the area residents shall benefit from subsidized offers where 20 litres of clean water shall retail for as low as five shillings.
A sanitation advisor at the Nairobi Sewerage Company, Amuso Victor, lauded the government initiative saying it will boost sanitation levels in the slums.