Increased water scarcity: a vital challenge for Kenya Kenya is a water scarce country with per capita water availability of 647 cubic metres (m), which is well below the global benchmark of 1000 m per capita, indicating chronic water scarcity. Water coverage in the country currently stands at 55%, meaning that approximately 45% of Kenyans lack access to clean and safe drinking water. Kenya's per capita surface water storage is estimated to be 103.1 m; with only 3.1 m available for domestic, livestock, industrial, and irrigation use with the balance being for hydroelectric power generation. The water situation in Kenya is made worse by climate change and compounded by deforestation, low storage capacity, a growing demand for water, and sharing of over half the rivers, lakes and aquifers with neighbouring countries. The rivers are drying up, lake levels are receding, dams and water pans are silting, and water quality is deteriorating. Erratic rains due to climate change have affected water supply with impacts on food production. In early 2018, many urban areas faced acute water shortages following a prolonged dry spell, and many rivers dried up impacting rural and urban areas. Rural women are particularly affected because of impacts on their households and small-scale agribusinesses, and the need to walk longer distances to obtain water. Women and girls are primary collectors of water for domestic use and can be exposed to potential conflict at times of water scarcities.