Published on IDRA Global Connections Winter 2020 Issue

• His Excellency Simon Kiprono Chelugui, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Water and Sanitation, Kenya

Q. What is the Kenyan position on addressing clean water needs in the face of increasing challenges related to drought, climate change and aquifer limitations?

Climate Change

Impact Kenya’s renewable water resources continue to reduce over time and is currently estimated at 452 cubic meters of water per capita per year compared to the desired global average of 1000 cubic meters per person per year. The effects of climate change are now prominently manifested in the increasing occurrences of cycles of droughts, floods and rapidly depleting forests. The magnitude and intensity of the events is also changing quite rapidly. This has inevitably impacted on all possible spheres of life.

In many areas of the world including Kenya, climate change is likely to increase water demand while shrinking water supplies. This shifting balance would negatively affect the available water resources necessary to simultaneously meet the needs of growing populations (human and
animal), sensitive ecosystems, agriculture, energy production and manufacturing; which are the key drivers of economic growth.

Impact on Water Supply 

Most of Kenya, especially in the ASAL regions is currently facing water shortages. The amount of water available is already limited, and demand will continue to rise as population grows. The country is experiencing variability and unpredictability in rainfall as well as increases in the severity and length of droughts. The rainfall comes in very short but intense episodes causing severe flooding in many parts of the country. Flush floods disrupt water supply in affected areas due to increasing storm water surges causing damages on water infrastructure including sewer systems and wastewater treatment facilities.

Changes in rainfall patterns and rising sea level and the occurrence of drought can increase the salinity of both surface water and ground water through salt water intrusion in coastal and Island regions, while in ASAL regions, groundwater levels will decline. This is already being experienced in the decreased fresh water production from boreholes along the coast (Tiwi Aquifer) and in Lamu and Mombasa Islands.

Impact on Water Quality

Water quality could suffer in areas experiencing increases in rainfall resulting to flooding. For example, heavy rainfall and flooding events could
cause problems for the water infrastructure, as sewerage systems and water treatment plants are overwhelmed by the increased volumes of water.

Heavy downpours can increase the amount of runoff into rivers and lakes, washing sediment, nutrients, pollutants, trash, animal waste, and other materials into water supplies, making them unusable, unsafe, or in need of high level treatment. This is due to deterioration of water quality as turbidity becomes very high requiring use of more water treatment chemicals.

How is the country addressing these challenges? 

The country is addressing these issues in a two pronged approach. The first is reactive and emergency actions involving implementation of short term projects to mitigate the effects of flooding on the one hand and drought on the other. Such projects include provision of water bowsers, plastic tanks, rehabilitation of existing boreholes and construction of new boreholes, small dams and water pans, especially for schools and market centers. The second approach involves proactive and long term actions such planning and implementation of climate proof water and sanitation projects, construction of multi-purpose dams to increase water storage and also implementation of long term climate resilient water resources management programs such as tree planting to increase forest cover, cleaning water bodies and restoration and
protection of the water towers.

Q. Desalination in broad terms has traditionally been associated mostly with treating seawater to potable use. Today, it includes the treatment of sea water, municipal wastewater as well as a growing issue of saline and hypersaline brines from industry. Can you comment on how the government of Kenya segments desalination and your general approach to each?

The desalination approach in Kenya is directed towards utilization of vast amounts of brackish groundwater found in aquifers located in ASAL areas in northern Kenya. Limited surface water resources have negatively impacted the development potential in these areas including the
provision of clean drinking water for the people. In the coastal towns such as Mombasa, Malindi, Kilifi, Lamu and others in the south coast, sea water desalination to provide drinking water is an option available to Kenya. However, more research on the appropriate technology that would offer value for money needs to be pursued before fully embracing water desalination options in Kenya. The available technology at the moment may not be sustainable in the long run because of its high investment and operational cost, making the cost per unit of water too expensive for consumers. However, it is one of the most viable options for small colonies like hotels, schools and army barracks in coastal region.

Q. What is your vision for creating water security for Kenya and how is your government proactively addressing these challenges?

Achievement of water security is critical for sustainable development. In the face of challenges such as lack of sufficient investments, reducing water resources and increasing demands, the country’s approach has been to reform the guiding policies, while increasing investments in infrastructural rehabilitation and development. The implementation of water sector reforms, especially in the separation of roles between levels of Government and giving semi-autonomy status to water services providers have created an environment for the sector to thrive. On the hardware front, the government is prioritizing increasing water harvesting and storage capacity while expanding water and sewerage coverage to meet the increasing demand. These measures are enhanced by the integrated implementation of programs aimed at restoration, reclamation and protection of water catchment zones including; forests, rivers, lakes, riparian lands and water towers. Good progress has been achieved where access to water is now at 63%, while sewerage coverage is 25%. These are projected to be 80% and 40% respectively by the year 2022 and universal access achieved by the year 2030.

Q. How does your unique position as the water leader of Kenya open doors to the best practices in water desalination and reuse and what advice would you give to other leaders facing water security challenges?

For the over 35 African countries with coastlines, water desalination notwithstanding the cost will eventually become the only available source of drinking water. As fresh water resources continue to reduce, a complementary approach will become necessary, where treated wastewater will be recycled for agriculture, industry, recreation and other uses, while desalinated water will be dedicated to drinking purposes only. It has been identified in the National Water Master Plan that the Country will be severely water stressed by the year 2030 when the ratio of water demand to available water resources will be 81%. Any ratio above 40% indicate water stress. In this regard, by 2020 sea water desalination, inter basin water transfer, waste water recycling and reuse will be a major option for Kenyans. It is for this reason that Kenya will be hosting International Desalination Conference in 2021 organized by the International Desalination and Reuse Association.

Q. As IDRA World Congress travels to sub Saharan Africa for the first time under your patronage, what questions and concerns do you envision will critically need to be addressed by the water desalination and reuse community? Are there any questions specific to Kenya that you would like to see addressed?

i. What are the technology options affordable to low and medium income countries?
ii. How do these countries mitigate the high investment cost involved in water desalination? How can we reduce CAPEX and OPEX ?
iii. Is water desalination value for money in the African context?