Residents of Bwaga Moyo village in Mwakirunge Ward, Mombasa County, are experiencing significant improvements in their daily lives following the establishment of a community water kiosk supported by the World Bank-funded Water and Sanitation Development Project. For many years, families depended on distant and often unsafe river sources for their water needs, forcing women and children to spend hours collecting water that was not always suitable for consumption. This situation frequently led to waterborne diseases and placed a heavy burden on households.
The new water kiosk now provides reliable access to clean and safe water for nearly 1,000 households within the community. The availability of water close to home has reduced the time and effort required to collect water while improving public health conditions. Residents describe the project as transformative, as it has removed a major daily challenge that affected families for decades.
Women and children have been among the primary beneficiaries of the initiative. With less time spent traveling long distances to fetch water, many women can now focus on income-generating activities, childcare, and community engagement. Improved water access has created opportunities for greater economic participation and enhanced quality of life within the village.
The water kiosk has also become an important community resource, attracting residents from neighboring villages who travel to collect clean water. Local leaders note that the project has improved access to quality water supplies while strengthening community involvement, particularly through the participation of women’s groups in the project’s implementation and management.
The initiative is the result of collaboration between the World Bank, local authorities, and water service providers in Mombasa. Sustainability measures have been integrated into the project through community management training and ongoing technical support to ensure reliable operations over the long term. These efforts aim to maintain consistent service delivery and maximize the project’s impact.
The Bwaga Moyo water kiosk is one of 30 water points established across Mombasa County under the broader Water and Sanitation Development Project. Collectively, these facilities contribute to improved water security, better health outcomes, and stronger community resilience. In Bwaga Moyo, the benefits are already visible through reduced disease risks, increased time for education and work, and enhanced opportunities for local development driven by access to clean water.
