CS Mugaa: Kenya is losing Ksh12B annually in water leakages
The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation (MoWSI), Eric Mugaa, has complained that the country is losing Ksh12 billion annually in leakages.
Speaking at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on Wednesday, August 29, 2025, during the launch of the Athi Water Works Strategic Plan, Mugaa challenged officials from his ministry.
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He also urged those from all 47 counties to develop practical solutions to end the alarming wastage.
Billions lost through water leakages
According to the CS, the national government, through the ministry, plays a central role in water infrastructure and policy direction, but continues to face major setbacks from massive losses.
“The national government, through the ministry, using the water works development agencies, has the responsibility to provide infrastructure, form policies and guide, chart a course for the nation.
“The loss that we have to a tune of 44%, we are losing water valued at more than Ksh12 billion annually. The question we ask ourselves is, is this sustainable?
“If it is not sustainable, then what are we doing to curb it?” Mugaa said.
He explained that the losses are mainly attributed to leakages, poor infrastructure maintenance, illegal connections and inefficiencies in service delivery.
Call for joint efforts
Mugaa emphasised the importance of collaboration between county governments, water service providers and the national government to curb the losses.
He noted that water is a shared resource, and any failure to manage it effectively would affect millions of Kenyans already struggling with scarcity.
The CS further stressed that strategic planning and investment in modern technology were critical to achieving a sustainable water supply.
He urged the county governments to work closely with his ministry in developing measures such as smart metering, leak detection systems and stricter penalties for water theft.
The loss of billions in the water sector comes at a time when the government is under pressure to address inefficiencies in public institutions.
Mugaa assured Kenyans that reforms would be prioritised in the sector, arguing that no country can develop sustainably while losing almost half of its water supply.
His remarks underline growing concerns over governance in key ministries, especially at a time when citizens are demanding accountability in the management of public resources.
