Water resources Water supply and sanitation in Kenya

the kerio river in rift valley during dry season.

the renewable freshwater resources of kenya estimated @ 20.2 km per year, corresponds 647 m per capita , year. total yearly water withdrawal estimated on 2.7 km, or less 14% of resources. however, water resources availability varies in time , between regions. parts of country have 2 rainy seasons. long rains typically march may while short rains typically october november.

in addition, kenya experiences every 3 4 years droughts , floods, affect large number of population. latest severe drought 2007 end of 2009, had impacts on sectors of economy. average annual rainfall 630 mm, varies between less 200 mm in northern kenya on 1,800 mm on slopes of mount kenya.

the kerio river flowing after heavy spring rainstorms in area, illustrating stark difference in water availability between dry , wet season.

kenya divided 5 drainage basins. lake victoria basin drainage area system in western kenya part of nile river basin. closed rift valley inland drainage system includes number of rivers , lakes, including large freshwater lakes such lake turkana, lake baringo , lake naivasha, rivers such kerio river, number of salt lakes.

the athi drainage system, tana drainage system , ewaso ng iro north drainage system flow towards indian ocean. water distribution in basins highly uneven highest water availability in lake victoria basin (more 50%) , lowest in athi drainage system. tana , lake victoria basins, have surplus water resources while 3 other basins face deficits.

the capital city nairobi receives water resources 2 drainage systems: oldest sources, kikuyu springs (used since 1906) , ruiru dam (since 1938) located in athi river basin. sasumua dam, ndakaini-thika dam (since 1996) , chania-b dam supply nairobi through interbasin transfer tana river drainage area. 20% of supply ground water resources corresponds around 60,000 70,000 m per day. mombasa, kenya s second largest city, serves water demand through marere water works in south-west, baricho intake @ lower athi river , mzima springs, upper athi river, through 220 km pipeline city.