Kenya’s Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) has reported significant improvements in water service delivery across the country, according to its 17th annual IMPACT Report released on June 25, 2025, at PrideInn Paradise Beach Resort in Mombasa.
The report assessed the performance of 92 water service providers 88 public and 4 private across all 47 counties during the 2023/2024 financial year. WASREB used nine key indicators to evaluate performance: water coverage, water quality, supply hours, metering, staff productivity, revenue collection, non-revenue water, personnel spending, and cost coverage.
Water coverage rose from 65% to 70%, bringing piped water access to an additional 3.27 million people, raising the total to 21.5 million. Active water connections increased by 2%, totaling 1.85 million, while water production grew marginally by 2%. Notably, the sector recorded a 9% increase in revenue, signaling improved financial performance.
Despite these gains, some challenges remain. The quality of drinking water slightly declined from 90% to 89%, largely due to underperformance by larger utilities. WASREB has called for better monitoring and implementation of water safety plans. Additionally, daily water consumption per person dropped from 28 to 26 liters, possibly indicating supply constraints.
Non-revenue water—losses from leaks, theft, or metering errors—rose from 43% to 45%, translating to Sh11.9 billion in financial losses and 203 million cubic meters of lost water. This remains a critical issue for the sector.
On a positive note, metering coverage stayed high at 97%, aiding in accurate water tracking. Revenue collection improved to 95%, while spending on staff salaries decreased slightly to 47% of operational costs. Cost coverage improved to 98%, reflecting enhanced financial sustainability.
Sanitation coverage stood at 92%, although sewer coverage dropped from 16% to 15%. The number of individuals relying on each sewer connection rose from 11 to 12, reflecting population growth outpacing infrastructure expansion.
Overall, the report highlights meaningful progress in service delivery and financial management, reinforcing Kenya’s commitment to achieving universal access to water and sanitation, in line with the Water Act 2016.
