Kenya’s Water Troubles More Than Just Leaky Pipes

Water is a limited resource – and cities in short supply are not acting quickly enough to conserve supplies and prepare for the future. Nairobi, the name of which refers to “place of cool waters,” is one example. Currently, water supply meets only about 70 percent of demand, and yet the government confronts many challenges in achieving reform: Poverty prevents many residents from paying the high prices; water vendors offer inefficient service for the poor, often securing supplies from illegal sources, and are expected to sabotage any restructuring; leaks and waste are abundant due to aging infrastructure; the potential for disease is high; and a high birthrate and increasing population indicates more intense competition over this basic resource well into the future. – YaleGlobal