Drinking-Water In Kenya – Why It’s Unsafe & What to Use Instead

I have an American friend who had moved to Kenya a few years ago with his family. The biggest challenges they faced in their first months here was getting sick from the food and water. This led me to wonder, is the water in Kenya safe to drink for tourists and foreigners? I did some research and drew from my personal experience to write the following post.

Only bottled water from popular brands is safe to drink for tourists and foreigners. This is because the quality of tap water in Kenya is inconsistent and should not be trusted for drinking unless it is boiled. In this article, I will share my experiences with water in Kenya and help you choose safe water sources that you can use when you visit this beautiful country.

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Why you should only use bottled water

While many parts of Kenya have tap water that is supplied by county water and sanitation companies, most of this water is may not have the purity levels required to consistently protect you from stomach infections. The quality of the water supply is usually inconsistent with the rainy season having the water with the most contamination.

Where should I buy water in Kenya

When buying water in Kenya, get it from a mid-sized or large supermarket. This will help you avoid counterfeit and substandard brands that do not take their water filtration process seriously. 

Not all bottled water is safe

In addition to this, you need to ensure that the brand of water you’re buying is a popular one. There are a number of reputable bottled water brands that you can choose from in here are the ones I would personally recommend:

1. Dasani
2. Keringet
3. Highlands
4. Aquaclear 
5. Quencher
6. Aquamist

These brands have been in operation for a number of decades now and adhere strictly to the guidelines of the Kenya Bureau of standards for water purity levels. (As a side note I am not receiving any compensation from mentioning these brands. I personally use many of these brands and would recommend them to anyone)

How much does bottled water cost in Kenya

A 1-Liter bottle of water in Nairobi costs y about 60 shillings at the time of writing this article.  This translates to around $0.50 USD. A 10-Liter of water will cost you about 500 shillings which is roughly around $5. 

Is tap water in Kenya safe to drink?

Tap water in some locations is safe to drink but the quality of water in most places in Kenya is so inconsistent that my advice would be to avoid it completely. inconsistent.

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There are places where the water is pristine and clean on one day but murky and brown another day. This especially happens in the rainy season. I went to college in a town where, once it rained, the water would turn brown. This was because the water went through very little filtration before it was piped. 

Is tap water safe to shower?

I personally consider the water in taps safe enough to shower with. It’s usually filtered enough for it to be safe. However, if you feel that you need extra protection, you can use antibacterial soap when showering. However, I think this is overkill and not required.

How safe is Mombasa’s water

Mombasa gets most of its water from boreholes in the nearby Baricho Aquifer. This makes the water taste weird. The first time I had water in Mombasa, I couldn’t quench my thirst. It’s full of minerals and this makes the water taste bland. In addition to this, I am not very sure how good the water treatment is so you probably don’t want to be drinking it anyway.

If you are going to the coast of Kenya, plan to get a Supply of bottled water from the brands I mentioned above. You can get them from supermarkets in the coast you don’t have to carry it from Nairobi.

How safe is Nairobi’s Water

Nairobi has better tasting water than Mombasa. This is because the water is sourced from streams and rivers originating in the Aberdare Ranges. Just in case you are curious, Nairobi sources it’s water from Ndakaini Dam near the Aberdare Ranges. 

While the water in Nairobi may be better treated and that of other towns and localities in Kenya,  I’ll still say that it is unsafe for any foreigner to drink it straight from the tap. 

Is water in Kenyan Hotels Safe

Most upmarket hotels,  which is where you’re most likely to be staying if you are a tourist in Kenya,  have in-house water filtration systems that make the water safe enough to drink from the tap.  However, I would advise that you confirm from the hotel staff if the water is safe to drink before doing so. 

Is the water in Kenyan swimming pools safe?

More swimming pools in Kenya have water that has been chlorinated and this makes the water safe to swim in.  the water, ordinarily, comes from normal tap water and so this extra step of chlorination enhances the purity of the water and remove any contamination brought in by the swimmers. 

When choosing a swimming pool,  check to see if it is well maintained and make an enquiry on when they get their water just to be safe. 

Can I use the water in Kenya to brush my teeth? 

I’ve seen a number of reviews indicating that Kenyan water is not safe enough to even brush your teeth mean but I think this is taking it a bit too far.  as long as the water does not have any clear signs of contamination I would be ok with brushing my teeth with it. 

The best way of carrying drinking water in Kenya

Since you’re going to be carrying all of your drinking water with you,  you need to have a solid plan on how you intend to move the water around especially if you’re going to be going to a remote area in Kenya. 

If you’re going to spend most of your time in the Urban areas like Nairobi or Mombasa,  get a 5l pack of bottled water from the supermarket and pour it into your smaller portable water bottle for day-to-day use.  if you’re traveling with a tour company, they will have already organized for this but it helps to confirm before starting your journey.

If you’re going to a remote part of Kenya that does not have easy access to supermarkets it helps to carry a portable water filter bottle with you. These are able to filter water from suspect sources and ensure that you don’t drink any bacteria or contamination. I have never used one myself but I found the LifeStraw Go Water Filter Bottles on Amazon with particularly high reviews and I thought it would be helpful to share it. You can check it out and see for yourself.

Having this filtration bottle may not be enough though if you’re going to be in a very Remote Part of Kenya and you will need to make arrangements with the organizer to find out what kind of water sources they have and make a plan on how you going to be hydrated when there.  in the worst case scenario where you do not have any water from sources that you can trust your best bet would be to boil it. This is the universal way of ensuring that your water is pure and safe and it’s what many Kenyans use when they don’t have access to bottled water or other filtration mechanisms. 

How to get safe and pure water as an Expatriate or long-term visitor in Kenya. 

If you’re planning to stay in Kenya for a longer period of time than just a few days,  using bottled water for all your drinking needs may not be very feasible. as I mentioned earlier a 10 Liter Bottle of water will cost roughly around $5 USD.  buying water like this for a long period of time can add up to a lot and there are better ways of achieving clean and safe water without it breaking your bank account. 

The best way of getting permanent clean and filtered water in your home in Kenya as an Expatriate or foreign visitor is by installing a sink filtration system that filters and purifies the water before it pours out from your tap.  the Kenyan company that is most popular for installing the systems is Davis and shirtliff and you can check out their website here. (They are not paying me to say this,  I just think they are a company that is worth recommending based on the level of professionalism they have handled me with when interacting with him).

A Final Word

As you prepare for your trip to Africa, I would like to recommend a few products that would help make your life easier. 

1. Information About Africa: I have created a YouTube channel that focuses on things about traveling to Africa that only Africans can tell you about. Check out the channel for insights about African culture and things you can do as a traveler to optimize your trip. You should also visit TripAdvisor forum posts (Here is the Kenya Forum) and ask questions about your particular situation. There are a lot of people who are happy to help you out. 
2. Choosing a Safari Company: I have written an extensive article on how to choose a safari Company. You can. Check it out before starting the process of searching for a safari company.
3. Safari Planning Services: If you’d rather leave the planning to an expert, I offer personalized safari planning services. I handle everything from helping you choose the right safari company, creating your custom itinerary, managing bookings, and even providing a packing list and reminders for important trip details. It’s like having a personal assistant dedicated to your trip, ensuring that everything runs smoothly, so you can focus on enjoying the adventure. Learn More in this article