Mombasa county has announced a crackdown on individuals making illegal sewer connections, which have compromised the system's effectiveness. Governor Abdulswaad Sherrif stated that county officers will regularise connections and pursue legal action. This comes amid efforts to modernise ageing infrastructure and address water scarcity issues.
Mombasa county has launched a crackdown on illegal sewer connections, as announced in a statement on January 18, 2026. Governor Abdulswaad Sherrif noted that these connections have compromised the sewer system's effectiveness, leading to blockages in some sections. "Unfortunately, some residents and establishments choose shortcuts; illegally connecting to sewer lines without notifying the County Government and disposing of inappropriate materials that clog and damage the system," the governor said.
"This is unacceptable. We have commenced a firm crackdown to identify and regularise illegal connections and to hold those responsible fully accountable," he added. The county is also pursuing modernisation of the ageing sewer system through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to accommodate the growing population.
The sewer system on the Island was designed in the 1930s when Mombasa's population was about 30,000 people. Today, the city is home to more than 1.9 million residents. "The pressure on this aging infrastructure is real, and it shows," the governor said. The crackdown aims to ensure efficiency in public services, as well as long-term sustainable environmental and health solutions.
This initiative aligns with previous efforts to regularise water connections. In August last year, the governor announced legal action against individuals and landlords engaging in illegal water connections, who have been selling water at higher prices and contributing to scarcity in the region. The county is also fixing leakages in water pipes and conducting a hydrological survey to identify sites for wells that will provide fresh water to residents.
"The main reason that the availability of water has gone down is that our non-revenue water is one of the highest in the country, because we have had situations where people have truly been doing nothing else except illegal water connections, which can be equated to treason," the governor said.
