In Nairobi, water isn’t just scarce. It’s unequal. Our research for MajiMap reveals a stark pricing divide that affects millions of residents every day.
The Price Gap
Residents connected to Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) pay a subsidised rate. But in informal settlements, home to over 60% of Nairobi’s population, most residents depend on informal water vendors who charge dramatically more.
The result: the poorest Nairobians pay the highest price for water, often for water of unknown quality.
What’s Driving the Inequality
Several factors create this pricing gap:
- Infrastructure gaps: NCWSC pipes don’t reach most informal settlements
- Vendor monopolies: limited competition allows price exploitation
- No transparency: residents have no way to compare prices or quality
- Regulatory gaps: informal water vendors operate outside quality and pricing oversight
What MajiMap Will Change
MajiMap is designed to make this invisible inequality visible. By mapping water prices, quality, and access points across Nairobi, we create a tool for:
- Residents: find the best quality water at the fairest price
- Advocates: use data to push for policy change
- Government: identify infrastructure investment priorities
- The MiMaji platform: connect residents to verified, fairly-priced water delivery
Take Action
You can help close the water pricing gap. Get involved with MiMaji Foundation or order water through the MiMaji platform. Every order supports our mission.