Residents of Bwaga Moyo village in Mwakirunge Ward, Mombasa County, are celebrating improved access to safe and clean water following the launch of a new water kiosk.
The water project, supported by the World Bank–funded Water and Sanitation Development Project (WSDP) in partnership with Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company Ltd (MOWASSCO), serves approximately 1,000 households, marking a significant step in enhancing local water security.
Habiba Ali, acting managing director of MOWASSCO, alongside Lewnida Sara, task team leader for the WSDP, visited the site to assess the impact of the initiative.
Ali highlighted the importance of the kiosk, describing it as a breakthrough managed by a community-based organisation run by women.
She emphasised that it empowers local residents while ensuring smooth and sustainable operations.
“Before putting the kiosk here, women were struggling to get clean, safe water. They were struggling to get water, which was not guaranteeing quality,” she said.
The Ag. MD added that through the project, supported by the World Bank, the county government of Mombasa and MOWASSCO, the kiosk was successfully established and is now serving close to 1,000 households, impacting a bigger part of the Bwaga Moyo community.
She also noted that the kiosk is currently the only water facility in the area, with plans to expand access to other parts of Mwakirunge.
To ensure the project’s success, community members managing the kiosk were trained and are working closely with MOWASSCO’s social team to ensure continuous monitoring and smooth service delivery.
“We’re hopeful this project will continue being a success, with constant monitoring to ensure these communities continue to have access to clean water,” Ali added.
Residents say the kiosk has transformed daily life and improved public health. Joseph Malau Katama, a resident and one of the first community members to contribute land for the project, described the impact: “It used to be very difficult to get clean drinking water. We had to search far and wide, sometimes in unsafe places.
Now water is available in plenty. Unless there is a problem with the main water pipe, we can get water easily. I am grateful to MOWASSCO for helping our community,” he said.
Before the kiosk was launched, residents often relied on contaminated river water, which caused health issues such as diarrhoea and stomach illnesses. The WSDP initiative has helped reduce these risks by providing affordable and safe water to the community.
The project demonstrates the collaborative efforts of the World Bank, the county government, and MOWASSCO in enhancing water security, empowering women and improving the overall public health outcomes.
“This initiative is not only about providing water; it is about building stronger, healthier and more resilient communities,” Sara said.
By Ian Chepkuto
