Infrastructure in Mombasa Summary

The only thing that has prevented the infrastructure in Mombasa from being deplorable is the relatively low population compared to cities such as Nairobi. Nevertheless, the establishment of county government’s as stipulated in Kenya’s new constitution will help improve the effectiveness and efficiency of existing infrastructure as well as create new ones.
A lot needs to be done to establish sufficient and robust infrastructure in Mombasa City and, as a result, significant funding will be required to steer construction of world-class telecommunications, railway systems, roads and power projects, and an improvement of existing ports and airports.
 
This will not only spur trade but also it will attract foreign capital and in so doing boost the economy of Mombasa county and Kenya in general.
 
Water Supply and Sanitation
Water
More than a basic human need, water as a natural resource feeds and cleanses Mombasa’s agricultural and domestic needs and facilitates production in manufacturing industries (such as the oil refinery and cement industries).
Fortunately, Mombasa is richly endowed with water because it lies along the Indian Ocean and has numerous rivers from the interior of Kenya flowing in. It is not without problems, however.
 

Present water problems in the city are caused by lack of permanent rivers, a rising population rate, and failure to properly maintain existing water supply infrastructure.
Water demands exceed supply with more than 60% of water demand being unmet, which accounts for water deficits of more than 10,000 m3 day.
Majority of Mombasa residents obtain water on specific days of the week.
Water access in households is approximately 75%.
More than 70% of Mombasa’s poor get their water from water kiosks at inflated rates.

 
An institution formed after the enactment of Water Act 2002, Water Services Providers Association provides water and sewerages services in Mombasa.
 

Water tariffs in Mombasa city are relatively high with a low rate of cost recovery.

There are increased rates of non-revenue water and high costs owing to the need to tap into distant sources of water.
Some of the sources of water used in Mombasa city are situated 220km away

The main sources of water supplied in Mombasa city include:

Mzima pipeline built 1955
Baricho pipeline-1955
Marere pipeline -1926
And Tiwi boreholes

 
Sanitation
More than 85% of the population is not served by a sewer system, with many having to deal with poorly-planned and ill-managed septic tanks and sewerage holes.
 
Merely 30% of the 700 tons of solid waste produced daily is collected in Mombasa.
 
58% of the same population segment utilize pit latrines with 54% of them dumping refuse in open sites and drains.
Electricity Supply
Supplied by Kenya Power and Lighting Company, electricity in Mombasa city is relatively fair, especially in middle and upper-income neighborhoods. Occasional power blackouts are effectively dealt with, probably due to the low population, few illegal connections and fewer heavy electricity consuming industries (when compared with a city like Nairobi).
 

Approximately 60% of city’s households have access to electricity
The urban poor do not have access owing to cost-related issues. As a result they depend on alternative sources of power such as kerosene and charcoal
53.6% of the population uses paraffin for their domestic uses from lighting to cooking
Since the city experiences tropical climate, significant amounts of electricity are used for cooling either through air conditioners, fridges or freezers.

 
Telecommunications Access
 

More than 95% of Mombasa residents have mobile phones
All of the 4 national mobile phone networks, Orange, Yu, Safaricom and Airtel, are accessible in the city
There are poor television signals and therefore most properties, especially middle and high-end ones, are installed with satellite television, mainly provided by DSTV
Internet access is relatively high with major hotels and internet cafes offering affordable internet services
The city enjoys wide access to both local and international radio channels
Most middle and upper-income residents who do not have internet connections through fiber optic cables use 3G modems

 
—

Thinking of living or buying in Kenya?
Read articles about living in Kenya;- [http://www.propdom.com/index.php/where/africa/kenya/kenya-overview]
Read articles about buying property in the Kenyan real estate section;- [http://www.propdom.com/index.php/where/africa/kenya/kenya-real-estate]
PropDom – the worldwide property domain for all things regarding holidaying, buying a second home, investing in property and retiring abroad.
PropDom has covered the following countries so far: UK – France – Portugal – Spain – Mexico – Brazil – Australia – New Zealand – Kenya – Morocco – South Africa – Egypt – Mozambique – Singapore – Thailand – Pakistan
PropDom knowledge section covers: Investment – Financing – Construction – Design – Legal – Furniture – Valuation – Surveying – Terminology – Glossaries – and more

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8979365