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Kenya names Chinese contractor for Mzima II water pipeline

Kenya names Chinese contractor for Mzima II water pipeline

Built World

Sichuan Roads and Bridges Group is proposed to build and operate a 220-kilometer line serving four coastal counties.

Today: Construction Review reports $389 million SRBG pipeline

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

For nearly seven decades, Mzima Springs has fed the Kenyan coast through a single pipeline built in 1957. On 8 November 2026, a Chinese state-owned contractor was identified as the private developer for a second, 220-kilometer line meant to carry 105,000 cubic metres a day to Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale and Taita Taveta.

The project is still in feasibility, not construction. Its value is KES 50.6 billion, and the proposed 30-year build-operate-transfer deal would have SRBG finance and build the line, run it for 27 years, then hand it to the state. Approvals, financing and public participation remain outstanding.

Why it matters

Four coastal counties face a 327-million-litre daily shortfall; Mzima II could add 105 million litres daily, if financing and approvals land.

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Key Indicators

220 km
Pipeline length
From Mzima Springs in Taita Taveta County to Mazeras tanks in Kilifi County.
105,000 m³/day
Design capacity
Equivalent to 105 million litres of water daily.
$389M
Estimated project value
KES 50.6 billion at KES 130 per dollar.
30 years
Concession term
Three years for construction and 27 years for operation and maintenance.
35M litres/day
Existing Mzima I output
The 1957 pipeline delivers far below regional demand and suffers frequent leaks and bursts.
327M litres/day
Regional daily shortfall
Four counties demand 512,000 cubic metres daily against 185,000 produced, Senate figures show.

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People Involved

JW
Judith Wabosha
Director, Coast Water Works Development Authority
Says project financing is approved and negotiations continue
DM
Daniel Mwaringa
Chairperson, Coast Water Works Development Authority Board
Monitors project progress and supports a second pipeline
SB
Samuel Soda Bengi
Engineer associated with the Coast Water Works Development Authority
Has cited deterioration of the Mzima I pipeline
 William Samoei Ruto
William Samoei Ruto
President of Kenya
Announced a separate KES 30 billion Mzima Springs expansion
ZN
Zachariah Njeru
Cabinet Secretary for Water and Sanitation in 2024
Told senators the project was frozen in March 2024

Organizations Involved

SR
Sichuan Roads and Bridges Group
Chinese state-owned construction firm
Selected private developer for Mzima II

Sichuan Roads and Bridges Group is the Chinese state-owned contractor proposed to finance, build and operate the Mzima II pipeline.
CW
Coast Water Works Development Authority
State water agency
Contracting authority for Mzima II

The Coast Water Works Development Authority is the state agency responsible for bulk water supply in Kenya's coastal region.
NT
National Treasury PPP Directorate
Government PPP oversight unit
Lists Mzima II in feasibility stage

The National Treasury's PPP Directorate oversees privately initiated infrastructure proposals in Kenya.

Timeline

2017 November 2026

10 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Construction Review reports $389 million SRBG pipeline

    Today Report

    Report names SRBG as private developer for four-county water line.

  2. SRBG detailed as Mzima II developer

    Report

    Mjengo Hub reports 220 km, 1,200 mm pipeline at KES 50.6 billion.

  3. Taita Taveta seeks alternative water sources

    Policy

    County asks national government for feasibility support beyond Mzima.

  4. Rationing hits Voi and Maungu

    Supply disruption

    Reduced Mzima output forces rotational supply.

  5. Ruto announces separate KES 30 billion expansion

    Financing

    National Infrastructure Fund would finance Mzima Springs expansion; link to PPP unclear.

  6. Senate hears of 327 million litre daily gap

    Data

    Four counties demand 512,000 cubic metres daily against 185,000 produced.

  7. Delays persist as negotiations continue

    Development

    CWWDA says public participation and financing talks are still pending.

  8. PPP committee approves SRBG proposal

    Approval

    Sichuan Roads and Bridges Group cleared to proceed to development and feasibility.

  9. Government freezes project over cost

    Policy

    Water CS Njeru says Sh35 billion plan lacked investors and would be re-advertised.

  10. Mzima II proposed

    Proposal

    Project floated to supplement the 1957 Mzima I pipeline.

Scenarios

1

Kenya signs Mzima II concession with SRBG

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Coast Water Works Development Authority and National Treasury PPP Directorate

CWWDA and SRBG complete feasibility, public participation and financing talks, then sign a 30-year build-operate-transfer agreement. The project would still need financial close before construction, but a signed concession would mark the first binding commitment after years of delays.

2

Mzima II reaches financial close and construction begins

Possible Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: Project documents and CWWDA statements

After a concession, lenders and the government finalize financing, including any viability gap support. Construction crews then begin work at Mzima Springs or along the pipeline route. This scenario requires clearing the outstanding approvals and funding questions that have held the project since 2017.

3

Mzima II remains in feasibility or is re-tendered

Likely Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Daily Nation reporting on bureaucratic delays and earlier government statements

Negotiations over financing and approvals drag past 2027, or the government decides the PPP structure is too costly. The project stays on the PPP Directorate's feasibility list or is sent back for re-advertisement, as happened in 2024. Water supply remains dependent on the ageing Mzima I line and other projects such as Mwache Dam.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1957

Mzima I pipeline (1957)

A colonial-era pipeline began carrying water from Mzima Springs to Kenya's coast. It became the region's main bulk supply line and still serves Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale and Taita Taveta.

Then

The pipeline supported decades of urban growth along the coast.

Now

By 2026 it delivers about 35 million litres a day and suffers frequent leaks and bursts.

Why this matters now

Mzima II is planned as a supplement to the ageing line, not a replacement.

March 2024

Mzima II freeze (2024)

Water Cabinet Secretary Zachariah Njeru told senators the Sh35 billion project was frozen because it was expensive and had attracted no investors. He said the government would re-advertise it.

Then

The project appeared stalled.

Now

In August 2024, the PPP committee approved SRBG's privately initiated proposal, moving the project onto a different procurement track.

Why this matters now

The reversal explains why a project proposed in 2017 is still in feasibility in 2026.

Sources

(8)
+2
Construction Review National Treasury PPP Directorate Mjengo Hub Daily Nation 中讯社 Water News 维度网 Construction Kenya