Carolyne Tomno
Kenya’s Water Crisis: A Race Against Time Amidst Climate Change and Population Growth
Experts are calling for innovative solutions to tackle water scarcity in Kenya and across Africa, as the issue intensifies due to climate change. Specialists from Kenya and abroad highlight that water scarcity is being exacerbated by rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and rapid population growth.
Dr. Malesi Shivaji, CEO of the Kenya Water and Civil Society Network (KEWASNET), warns that the demand for water in new urban areas will only increase. “These cities must start planning for future demands because the water infrastructure in Nairobi, for example, was designed for a much smaller population during the colonial era,” he notes. He emphasizes the need for modernizing Kenya’s inherited infrastructure, ensuring that future urban planning includes water systems integrated into road construction to prevent flooding, while also enabling runoff water harvesting.
Water expert Engineer Susan Masila acknowledges efforts to increase water access for households but stresses that they remain insufficient, with many families still facing water shortages. She suggests that traditional water management techniques, such as rainwater harvesting, could be part of the solution. In Kenya, local communities have long used methods like water pans, sand dams, and roof catchments to store rainwater. These low-cost, sustainable practices have proven helpful, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. With adequate support and integration into modern policies, such techniques could address growing water demands amid changing climate conditions.
Masila also highlights the disproportionate burden on women, who are often responsible for sourcing water for households. She advocates for more women to pursue engineering careers in the water sector to ensure gender-sensitive solutions to water scarcity.
Dr. Francis Oremo, Senior Programme Manager at the Institute for Law and Environment Governance in Nairobi, calls for cross-border collaborations to address the water crisis, stressing that Kenya’s efforts to provide clean drinking water must be supported by global action.
Climate expert Dhesin Naidoo from South Africa supports this, urging the adoption of climate-resilient designs, while Sunita Narain, Director General of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in India, emphasizes the need for innovative approaches to manage water resources.They were speaking during the launch of the state of Africa’s Environment 2024 report held in Nairobi.
The report was Released by the Centre for Science and Environment based in New Delhi India during a briefing that was jointly organised by New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Media for Science, Environment, Health and Agriculture (MESHA).
