OPINION: Solving Kenya’s water crisis through technology

As Kenya prepares for the Kenya Water and Sanitation International Conference 2025 themed “Innovation and Technology for Sustainable Pathways to Climate-Smart Water and Sanitation Solutions,” in Mombasa from 23rd – 27th June this month, one conversation remains key: how can technology solve our country’s persistent water and sanitation challenges?

Water is life. This isn’t just a saying. It’s a daily reality for millions of Kenyans who rely on taps that often run dry, boreholes that go unmonitored, and sanitation systems that fail when they’re needed most. For decades, the way we managed water in Kenya was analogue, fragmented and often reactive.

In many counties, water management used to mean relying on handwritten meter readings, paper-based billing systems and word-of-mouth complaints. Consumers were billed based on estimates, often unfairly. Water theft, illegal connections and non-revenue water losses soared. Meanwhile, planning relied on outdated maps and guesswork instead of accurate, real-time data.

But times are changing. And at the heart of that change is digital transformation.

Across Kenya, technology is reshaping how water is managed, delivered and conserved. Smart meters are replacing manual ones, allowing Water Utilities to monitor usage and detect leaks in real-time.

Digital billing platforms now send alerts directly to customers’ phones and even accept payments through mobile money, reducing revenue leakages and improving customer service. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) help map water infrastructure, so counties can plan expansions or repairs more effectively.

In places like Nakuru and Nairobi, remote sensors are being used to track water quality and pressure across networks. This means a problem can be identified and fixed long before it turns into a crisis. In many counties today, mobile applications are being used to log and respond to complaints faster, improving accountability between providers and residents.

“Technology is our ally in building a water-secure and climate-resilient Kenya,” notes Eric Mugaa, the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation. “We are embracing smart metering, digital billing systems, leak detection systems and IoT-based water monitoring tools across utilities. These innovations are improving transparency, minimizing losses and optimizing operations in real time.”

All of this helps solve the problems that plagued the sector for years: inefficiency, poor data, low transparency and high-water losses. According to WASREB’s recent performance reports, some counties still lose over 40% of their treated water through leakages and illegal connections, what’s known as Non-Revenue Water (NRW).

Technology offers a powerful solution. With IoT devices and AI-powered monitoring, WSPs can pinpoint where water is being lost and take action swiftly, instead of conducting costly manual audits.

And even though smart technologies come with upfront costs, experts agree they are worth the investment. “Water service providers and even individual property owners should consider adopting smart meters,” notes Collins Keter, a Sales Engineer at Top Pipe, a local manufacturer of high-quality pipes.

 “Water utilities should invest in high-quality pipes — they save money by reducing losses and improving billing accuracy. They are a critical investment in tackling the issue of Non-Revenue Water.”

But perhaps the biggest win is for the ordinary Kenyan. When tech is used well, water becomes more accessible, more affordable and more reliable. A mother in Nyeri can now pay her water bill from her phone. A farmer in Kajiado can receive alerts when there’s a disruption in water supply and a youth innovator somewhere in Kisii can develop a mobile app that tracks water points and scale it nationally.

However, digital transformation is not just about gadgets. It’s about changing mindsets, building capacity and creating policy frameworks that support innovation. If poorly implemented, digital systems can exclude the very people they’re meant to help, especially in low-income or remote areas. That’s why we need stronger partnerships between government, private sector, development partners and local communities.

As we look ahead, Kenya must continue to invest in climate-smart water technologies, support youth-led innovation and ensure every county embraces data-driven decision-making in WASH.

It will be interesting to witness how the upcoming Water and Sanitation Conference will tackle these urgent challenges. A keynote address on AI-driven water management or a panel debating smart metering’s role in reducing non-revenue water could spark the breakthroughs Kenya needs. With tech innovators, policymakers, and utility leaders converging, the conference may well set the blueprint for a water-secure future.

Eugene Ameli is a Communications Specialist at Anchor Bay