Four coastal counties are facing the threat of a severe water crisis as the aging Mzima Pipeline continues to suffer frequent bursts, prompting renewed calls for the urgent implementation of the long-delayed Mzima 2 Water Project.
The warning follows a major pipeline burst that disrupted water supply and electricity in parts of Voi Town for several days, exposing the vulnerability of the region’s primary water supply infrastructure.
Speaking during emergency repair works, Mzima Pipeline Supervisor Tuqa Wario urged the governors of Taita Taveta, Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi counties to jointly lobby for the fast-tracking of the Mzima 2 project, warning that continued delays could plunge the region into a prolonged water crisis.
“I have worked on the Mzima Pipeline for 32 years. At this point, the challenge has become very serious for the four coastal counties. As a matter of priority, these counties should come together and find a way to start the Mzima 2 project. The old pipeline is corroded, and that is why we are experiencing frequent bursts that cause constant water shortages. If we do not act now, the four counties will face a major water crisis,” Wario said.
Constructed in 1957, the Mzima Pipeline has exceeded its intended lifespan and is now increasingly prone to breakdowns, resulting in recurring water shortages across the Coast region.
Wario also dismissed reports that the Coast Water Works Development Agency had disconnected water supply to the Taita Taveta Water and Sewerage Company (TAVEVO) over an outstanding debt.
“The Mzima Pipeline does not serve Taita Taveta alone; it also supplies Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa counties. If we were to shut off the water, all four counties would be affected simultaneously. Those rumours are therefore untrue. The recent water shortage was purely a technical issue, not a financial one,” he clarified.
According to Wario, the pipeline’s aging steel infrastructure has become heavily corroded after nearly seven decades in operation, making emergency repairs increasingly frequent and costly.
He revealed that each major repair now costs more than KSh1 million, placing an additional financial burden on water service providers while failing to offer a long-term solution.
Water supply is expected to resume following the completion of emergency repairs carried out jointly by engineers from the Coast Water Works Development Agency and TAVEVO on Thursday.
However, officials maintain that emergency repairs can only provide temporary relief. They insist that the implementation of the Mzima 2 Water Project remains the only sustainable solution to guarantee reliable water supply for the rapidly growing populations of Taita Taveta, Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi counties.
The Mzima Pipeline, located in Taita Taveta County, is one of Kenya’s most critical water infrastructure projects, supplying millions of residents across the four coastal counties with water from the Mzima Springs.
