MOWASCO and Fresh Life Sign MOU to Address Sanitation in Mombasa’s Informal Settlements

MOMBASA: The Mombasa Water and Sanitation Company Limited (MOWASCO) has formalized a partnership with Fresh Life to tackle the issue of sanitation in the city’s informal settlements.

According to Kenya News Agency, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the two organizations aims to establish water-less, container-based toilet facilities in areas of greatest need.

Farah stated that approximately 70 percent of Mombasa falls under the category of low-income informal sectors. “This partnership provides an avenue for us to look at the challenges and formulate targeted approaches to improve sanitation conditions,” he said. MOWASCO is concurrently working on a World Bank project that involves the rehabilitation of eight kilometers of sewer lines in Old Town and Mombasa West. The organization is also revitalizing the Kipevu wastewater treatment plant and constructing 15 ablution blocks across the county.

Anthony Mulinge, Managing Director of Fresh Life, noted that the new partnership aims to narrow the sanitation gap for residents in informal settlements. “Our goal is to extend sanitation coverage in greater Mombasa County, particularly targeting low-income communities. This will also have health benefits by reducing diseases like cholera and diarrhea,” said Mulinge. Fresh Life has already established over 7,500 container-based toilets in Nairobi, Kisumu, and Eldoret.

Mulinge further explained that Mombasa was chosen for the initiative due to its significant population residing in informal settlements and its high water table, which makes traditional pit latrines impractical and environmentally hazardous. “The container-based solution is well-suited for the needs of this specific community,” he added.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Water, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, Emily Achieng, commended the collaboration. “We will closely work with Fresh Life to establish regulatory frameworks for sanitation. Additionally, youth will be employed within the sanitation value chain as identified by the program,” she said.