Century-Old Sewer Lines to Be Replaced as Mombasa County Intensifies Cleanup Operation

By Feddy Madebe

MOMBASA, KENYA – The Mombasa County Ministry of Environment and Water has launched a major operation in Old Town to address sewerage and wastewater environmental hazards that have long plagued residents in the historic area.

Led by County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Environment and Water Kibibi Abdalla Hamisi, the ministry’s inspection tour focused on identifying and prosecuting individuals who have illegally connected to county sewer lines without proper documentation and planning approval from county surveyors. These unauthorized connections have overwhelmed the existing sewerage system, creating significant health and environmental challenges for Old Town residents.

The initiative, spearheaded by Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, forms part of his broader vision to transform Mombasa into the cleanest city in Africa. Residents warmly welcomed the county leadership, expressing gratitude to the Governor for improving access to clean water, which they say has significantly enhanced their quality of life.

Century-Old Infrastructure Buckling Under Pressure

CECM Kibibi Abdalla Hamisi identified three major challenges facing the sewerage system: the infrastructure is over 100 years old, Mombasa’s population has increased dramatically, and numerous illegal connections have further strained the network.

“We are dealing with sewer lines that are over a century old, serving a population far larger than they were designed for, and the situation is made worse by the many illegal connectors,” Hamisi noted during the tour.

However, in a major development, the CECM revealed that Governor Abdulswamad has secured a partnership with a private sector company to completely overhaul Mombasa’s entire sewer system, addressing the infrastructure challenges once and for all.

“The Governor has partnered with a private sector company to change the entire sewer system in Mombasa. This is a long-term solution that will tackle the problem comprehensively,” Hamisi announced, signaling the administration’s commitment to permanent solutions rather than temporary fixes.

Eng. Albert Keno, Chief Officer of Water and Sanitation for Mombasa County, elaborated on the operational challenges, pointing to both illegal connections and improper usage of sewer pipes as critical issues.

“The problem lies in the illegal connection into the sewer lines and also the bad usage of the sewer pipes,” Keno explained. He urged residents to avoid disposing of materials that could clog the pipes and cause overflows, noting that the issue persists despite regular deployment of professionals to address blockages.

Joint Enforcement Operation Targets Water Theft

Ms. Habiba Ali, Acting Managing Director of Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MOWASCO), accompanied the ministry team to crack down on illegal water connections.

“This is going to be a continuous operation,” Ali stated, signaling the county’s commitment to sustained enforcement action.

Residents confirmed that some community members have been misusing the sewage system by disposing of inappropriate materials, leading to backwash and overflow problems.

Commitment to Prosecution and Long-term Solutions

CECM Hamisi emphasized that the county will continue to arrest and prosecute those found making illegal connections, underscoring the administration’s zero-tolerance approach to infrastructure violations.

The dual approach of immediate enforcement action combined with the long-term infrastructure overhaul represents a comprehensive strategy to resolve Mombasa’s sewerage challenges. The operation is a key component of Governor Abdulswamad Nassir’s ongoing efforts to deliver quality services to Mombasa residents and realize his vision of making the coastal city a model of urban cleanliness in Africa.

Local residents have expressed optimism that the sustained crackdown, coupled with the planned complete system replacement, will bring lasting solutions to the environmental and health challenges that have affected Old Town for years.