Government officials from both national and county levels are facing charges for stealing water designated for residents of Mombasa. Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir announced a collaborative effort between Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MOWASSCO) and the county’s water, infrastructure, and health departments that revealed 21 illegal water connections throughout the county, some of which belonged to government officials.
Governor Nassir highlighted the significant issue of Non-Revenue Water in Mombasa, with up to 60% of the water supply being lost due to illegal diversions. This not only affects MOWASSCO’s finances but also denies residents access to this vital resource. To combat this, the county has launched a 100-day campaign to crackdown on water theft and reduce Non-Revenue Water.
Mombasa currently faces a daily demand of 200,000m³ of water but only receives approximately 40,000m³, with leaks and theft further reducing this to around 20,000m³ for residents. Governor Nassir explained the reliance on external sources for fresh water and the impact of illegal connections on the main lines.
Disciplinary actions are already underway against two county officials involved in the illegal connections, and a confidential hotline with a reward system will soon be launched to encourage the public to report water diversions. The governor emphasized the importance of ensuring all residents have access to water and preventing selfish acts that deprive entire neighbourhoods of this essential resource.
Illegal connections were discovered in various sub-counties, and Governor Nassir expressed confidence that the 100-day crackdown will lead to significant improvements in water supply. The county is also conducting a hydrogeological survey to identify potential deep wells within Mombasa to reduce dependence on external water sources.
