Replenish Coastal Cities in Kenya

Investing in Impact

P4G has awarded the partnership with US $100,000 in grant funding.  

Kenya’s coastal area, especially around the city of Mombasa, is experiencing a shortage of 100,000 cubic meters (m3) of potable water a day. Population growth and periods of intense rainfall followed by longer periods of drought put stress on the limited water resources, negatively impacting residents’ quality of life and becoming a major barrier to regional economic growth.  

By collecting excess run-off water during rainy seasons and flood events and infiltrating it into groundwater aquifers (MAR plants), Replenish Coastal Cities in Kenya aims to increase water access and availability in Mombasa County during dry seasons. This will also support sustainable supply in a populous area that is historically water scarce. 

Currently, residents of Mombasa pay from US$1.45 to $2.00 per cubic meter and the unpredictability of available surface water supply due to both seasonal changes and drought causes the local water price to fluctuate significantly, especially when the reservoir capacities are low. The costs for the development of MAR plants are considerably lower, which provides consumers with the option to buy at an average price of  US$1.00/m3 . 

Mombasa and Malindi residents are forced to buy unsafe water from informal water vendors due to a unmet demand for critical infrastructure and basic services. Thanks to P4G’s catalytic funding, Replenish Coastal Cities in Kenya will bring together public and private stakeholders, kick-starting developments towards the successful situating, construction and operation of a MAR plant.  

In the initial stage, this partnership will conduct a feasibility study, collecting data and engaging stakeholders to quantify the project’s physical, economic and social benefits. Upon completion of the study, the partnership aims to secure funding to complete construction and start operations in Mombasa City.