The Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation has reaffirmed its commitment to achieve universal water access by 2030 amid grappling with a surging population that is outstripping existing infrastructure.

Appearing on a TV interview on a local station on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa provided a progress report on the nation’s “Vision 2030” goals.

He noted that while significant strides have been made, a substantial gap remains for millions of Kenyans.

“Currently, we are at around 74 % national water access in regulated areas, and we are working towards a 100 % access that is vision 2030,” Mugaa stated.

Current progress and the 2030 Goal

According to the CS, current data shows that water coverage in regulated areas has reached a critical milestone, though it remains far from the ultimate target of total inclusivity.

He stated that as more people move to urban centers and the national population continues to climb, the demand for clean water is rising faster than pipes can be laid.

“There are challenges in the process; one of them is the pudding population growth versus the amount of investment required,” Mugaa stated, highlighting that infrastructure planned a decade ago is now being pushed to its limits by today’s density.

Nairobi City water sources

Nairobi relies on a sophisticated network of rivers, dams, and pipelines to sustain its four million residents, yet water shortages remain a persistent reality across the capital.

With a growing population nearing five million, the city’s daily demand has surged to a million liters.

The bulk of this supply is drawn from the Aberdare Ranges and surrounding catchments, primarily through the Ndakaini, Sasumua, and Ruiru dams.

Before reaching the city’s distribution network, this raw water is processed at external treatment plants to ensure safety and quality.

Once treated, the water is then pumped and stored in large reservoirs and service tanks, which are positioned all around the city, and from here, pumping stations use pipes to pump the water to thousands of homes, businesses, hospitals, and also industries.