Mzima 2 Pipeline to cost Sh40 Billion

Last Updated 14 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Coast Water Services (CWS) is seeking Sh40 billion funding from possible development partners to build a second water pipeline at the Coast. The project dubbed Mzima 2 will see to the building of a 210km pipeline to run from Mzima to Mombasa parallel to the current one.

“We are still in talks with to fund the project”, said Fatma Awale in an interview with Kenya Engineer.”Some investors have shown interest in the project but they are reluctant to fund it terming the amount too big”, she added.

She however pointed that the cost of things today is very high and come near future the cost will be even higher since the prices of commodities keep rising.

The Mzima 2 pipeline will supply water to Taru, Voi, Mariakani, Mazeras and other parts of the west Coast including Mombasa. It is likely that upon completion, the 1st pipeline will be left out for Taita.

CWS board chairman, Anthony Mrima said that the demand for water in Mombasa is high and thus the need to increase capacity. The region generally receives about 67,000 cubic metre of piped water daily against a demand of about 150,000 cubic metres.

At the moment, the Baricho waterworks station has been shut down to allow for installation of six additional electrical water pumps. The station supplies water to Maalindi, Kilifi and parts of Mombasa. It is part of the final phase of the rehabilitation works that have been going on. The works are expected to be complete by the end of this year.

A parallel pipeline from Baricho will soon be installed as the board has already secured additional funding from the World Bank. The lack of investment in water has is attributed to have resulted to low supply of essential commodities at the Coast. Upon completion of the rehabilitation works together with the second pipeline, water supply is estimated to increase to volumes of about 70-80 per cent.

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