Kenya’s water utilities reached more people as non-revenue water rose

Coverage and water quality improved in the regulator’s summary

Water coverage increased seven percentage points from 2022/23 to 2024/25. The drinking water quality indicator increased from 90% to 96%. Average reported service hours increased from 17 to 18 and remained at 18 in the final year. Source 1

Non-revenue water increased as metering held steady

The non-revenue water share rose by five percentage points across the period, while the regulator reported a 97% metering ratio in all three years. The indicators address different questions: how much of the water put into the system earns revenue and how much of the customer base is metered. Source 1

Cost recovery improved in aggregate

Operating and maintenance cost coverage reached 103% in 2024/25. The report says 44 of 94 assessed providers reached at least 100%. A sector summary above 100% can coexist with many individual providers falling below it. Source 1

Sewered sanitation was 16% in the latest year

The wider sanitation indicator was 93% in 2024/25 and includes other sanitation provision. Looking at sewered coverage separately helps distinguish the reach of sewer connections from the use of sanitation systems overall. Source 1

Sources

• Kenya Water Services Regulatory Board, Impact Report 18, table 2.6 and chapter 4
• Kenya Water Services Regulatory Board, Impact Reports archive