How county government is boosting access to water in Tana River

Water is life, and ensuring universal access to clean and safe water to the people of Tana River is a cardinal obligation of the County Government.

Since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution, devolution has empowered county governments to directly address local water challenges. This has resulted in heavy investments in water supply projects, transforming the lives of thousands of residents across the county.

On March 22, Tana River County Government celebrated the World Water Day 2025 with reflections on the milestones it has achieved so far in water coverage, access, and household connectivity across the county.

In collaboration with national government agencies, development partners, NGOs, and private investors, Tana River County Government has significantly improved water supply infrastructure, ensuring more residents access this essential resource.

Water coverage and household connectivity

The county’s urban water supply coverage stands at 34 percent, according to the 2022/2023 Impact Report by Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB). The County Water Service Provider, Tana Water and Sanitation Company (TAWASCO), serves a population of 41,639 people in key towns such as Hola, Madogo, Bura, Garsen, and Ngao, out of its total service area population of 121,807 people. Since devolution, TAWASCO has successfully connected 7,039 households, benefiting over 42,234 people across the county.

Despite challenges such as high non-revenue water (NRW) levels, currently at 62 percent, the County Government has intervened through subsidy programmes, allocating Ksh35 million in the current financial year to improve efficiency, pay power bills, and enhance service delivery. Additionally, a business plan for TAWASCO has been developed to guide strategic investments, particularly within the Kenya Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (K-WASH) programme, set for rollout in FY 2025/2026.

Major Tana River investments in water infrastructure

County Government Projects (FY 2023/2024 – FY 2024/2025)

In FY 2023/2024, the County Government of Tana River invested Ksh97,549,956 in 10 water projects aimed at bridging the access gap. These projects span the entire county, including:

1. Sombo Cluster Water Supply Project in Hamares
2. Kamuthe Water Project
3. Maroni-Hara Water Supply Project (Phase I)
4. Bura Water and Sanitation Project
5. Construction of Kipao Secondary School Water Supply and Sanitation Project
6. Rehabilitation of Borehole No. 3 at Garsen Water Supply
7. Extension of Water Supply from Chardende to Dukanotu
8. Solarized Borehole in Karankaret
9. Madogo Water Supply Improvement Works and Other Civil Works
10. Procurement of Smart Meters for TAWASCO

Building on this momentum, in FY 2024/2025, the County Government has increased its investment to Ksh146,532,358 for 16 new projects, including:

1. Capital grant to TAWASCO for repair and maintenance of water supply distribution lines
2. Chanani Water Supply Project in Mikinduni Ward
3. Drilling and Equipping of a Borehole at Boji ya Chini and Other Civil Works
4. Rehabilitation of Borehole Projects Across the County
5. Desilting of Dams Across the County
6. Drilling and Equipping of a Borehole at Idsowe
7. Drilling, Equipping, and Construction of a Water Supply Pipeline to Tana Kurole School
8. Pipeline Extension to Waldesa Village
9. Drilling and Equipping of a Borehole for Gatundu Village
10. Construction of Wadesa Water Supply
11. Construction of Dukanotu Water Kiosk
12. Completion of Hamaresa Water Project
13. Rehabilitation of 2 Ziwani Boreholes in Kipini East Ward
14. Rehabilitation of 2 Boreholes at Madogo
15. Rehabilitation of Nanighi Borehole
16. Fencing of Chirfa Water Pan

One of the most promising projects is the Madogo Water Supply Improvement Project, featuring a high-yielding borehole that produces 47,000 litres per hour, with the capacity to connect over 3,000 households per day.

Equalisation Fund investment (FY 2024/2025)

Tana River County has also been privileged to receive Ksh400 million from the Equalisation Fund for projects in marginalised areas. Some key projects under this funding include:

• Kone Water Project (Iddi)
• Meti Water Supply (Hirimani Ward)
• Hurara Water Project (Tana Delta).

These initiatives are critical to ensuring that even the most vulnerable communities in the county have access to clean and safe water.

National Government and development partner contributions

The National Government, through agencies such as the Coast Water Works Development Agency (CWWDA), the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, and the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), has played a crucial role in supplementing county efforts to achieve universal water access.

Additionally, Tana River County is one of only two counties selected for the K-WASH Programme. The other is Murang’a County. This initiative will see a Ksh3.5 billion investment towards:

• Expanding water and sanitation access
• Strengthening rural water supply systems
• Upgrading small water works to increase capacity

Challenges and ongoing reforms

While significant progress has been made, challenges persist. They include:

• High non-revenue water at 62 percent
• Aging infrastructure requiring urgent upgrades
• Funding gaps for rural water schemes.

To address these, the County Government has implemented subsidy programmes, supplying water meters and purification chemicals to improve efficiency and sustainability.

Political goodwill and leadership commitment

The County Government’s success in water provision is largely attributed to strong political goodwill and effective leadership under:

• Governor, Major Retired Dr Dhadho Gaddae Godhana
• CEC Member for Water, Energy, Mining, and Natural Resources, Madam Harufa Algi
• Halua Jahi, Chief Officer Water, Energy, Mining, Wildlife and Natu­ral Resources
• Felix K Mumba, Director Water.

Their unwavering commitment ensures that water remains a top priority, driving the county toward universal water access.

Looking ahead: A sustainable water future

The County Government of Tana River reaffirms its commitment to ensuring every resident has access to clean and safe water. With continued investments, partnerships, and community participation, the administration is confident that the county is on the right path to achieving universal water coverage.

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About K-WASH and Tana River as a beneficiary

The Kenya Water and Sanitation Programme (K-WASH) is a transformative initiative funded by the World Bank through the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation. It aims to achieve universal access to safe and reliable water and sanitation services across the country.

The programme seeks to enhance water infrastructure, strengthen governance in the water sector, and improve climate resilience in water resource management. Tana River County, a beneficiary of the programme, has been allocated Ksh3.5 billion to accelerate its efforts to achieve universal water coverage. These funds will support the following:

• Expansion and rehabilitation of water supply infrastructure.
• Improved access to safe drinking water for households, schools, and health facilities.
• Strengthening of local water service providers for sustainable water management.
• Integration of climate-resilient water solutions to address water scarcity challenges.

Tana River is one of the two counties (the other being Murang’a) selected to pilot K-WASH. This is a testament to the pressing water needs in the two counties and the potential impact of interventions. This pilot phase will serve as a model for scaling up water investments in other counties in Kenya.

The K-WASH programme is a major boost for the water sector in Tana River County, promising long-term benefits in health, economic growth, and climate resilience. The County Government, in collaboration with national agencies, is committed to ensuring successful implementation of the programme for the benefit of all residents.