From Utility to Plurality: Water as a Shared Right


Suppose we place the sites where ancient civilizations emerged on today’s map. In that case, we find a common element between the Assyrians, Pharaohs, Phoenicians, and Romans: The abundance of water in areas where civilizations arose. Water is the lifeblood of everything, the origin of all things."We made everything from water: humans, animals, plants, civilization, industry, and development. But if water disappears, civilization disappears, and people disappear.


The donation of water wells between Kilifi and Mombasa, Kenya, presents a complex intersection of philanthropy, infrastructure, ecology, and material culture. While on the surface, the provision of a water well seems like an unequivocally positive intervention offering relief to communities struggling with severe water scarcity, its efficacy is highly contingent on broader ecological, social, and material considerations. The act of donating a well cannot be separated from the cultural landscape, climatic conditions, community governance structures, and multispecies relations in which it is embedded. Firstly, effectiveness must be considered not only in terms of access but also in terms of sustainability. A donated well that does not account for this ecological sensitivity risks becoming another abandoned structure. Without long-term investment in community-led maintenance and local water management institutions, a well is less a source of resilience than a temporary patch.

Materiality is also key. The physical form of the well, the choice of stone, concrete, metal, plastic, or local earthen materials, not only determines its durability but signals particular values and relationships. Wells assembled with coral stone, local lime plasters, or timber might evoke indigenous knowledge systems, integrating the structure more sensitively into its environment. Material choices also affect thermal performance, maintenance cycles, and water purity. Metal fixtures may corrode; PVC pipes might leach chemicals; shallow, unlined wells risk collapse. A structure that uses local materials and traditional construction methods, involving masons and craftspeople from the community, encourages a sense of ownership and continuity. It can even serve as a form of architectural education, transmitting vernacular skills across generations.

More importantly, wells if thoughtfully situated and constructed can serve a purpose beyond their human-centered role. In the semi-arid environment between Kilifi and Mombasa, water is not only a human necessity but also an ecological keystone. Donated wells that are fenced off or designed exclusively for domestic use may inadvertently exclude other actors in the landscape such as livestock, wild animals, birds, and trees that play a critical role in the region’s fragile ecosystems. A cow trough carved from the same stone as the well’s casing, a shallow overflow pond, or adjacent tree planting can reframe the well as a shared multispecies infrastructure. These additions allow wells to recharge nearby soil, feed livestock, sustain forest patches, or support pollinators thus extending their function from mere extraction sites to ecological anchors.

In some traditional Mijikenda homesteads, water points historically doubled as social and spiritual spaces. Women gathered there to wash clothes, elders convened to discuss community issues, and children played nearby. Wells were integrated into the ritual and material life of the settlement. To be truly effective, wells should consider these intangible cultural functions: how people gather, how space is shared, how water rituals reinforce kinship and belonging. A well that incorporates shade structures, seating, or symbolic carvings acknowledges the communal and ceremonial aspects of water access, turning infrastructure into architecture. In conclusion, the effectiveness of water wells in the Kilifi–Mombasa region is not a question of presence or absence, but of process, design, and long-term integration. Materiality matters—it shapes how people and environments interact with the well. So does function, not only for humans but for the broader ecologies they inhabit. Donated wells have the potential to be resilient, pluralistic infrastructures, but only if conceived not as finished objects but as open systems, grounded in context, co-created with communities, and embedded in the lifeworlds of both people and more-than-human beings.


In a broader context:

Water scarcity remains a pressing issue in the coastal regions of Kenya, particularly between Kilifi and Mombasa counties. Despite recent infrastructural developments, many communities continue to grapple with limited access to clean and reliable water sources. A combination of environmental factors, infrastructural limitations, and socio-economic disparities exacerbates this challenge.

In Kilifi County, a significant portion of the population lacks access to safe drinking water. For instance, in the Magarini constituency, only 6.6% of households have access to improved water sources, while Ganze stands at 13.7%. These figures underscore the severity of water scarcity in the region. The situation is further complicated by the county's semi-arid climate, which leads to prolonged dry seasons and inconsistent rainfall patterns.

To address these challenges, the Kenyan government has initiated several projects aimed at improving water accessibility. A notable example is the Sh4 billion Baricho Wellfield Water Project in Kilifi County. This project involves the rehabilitation of boreholes and the construction of a high-volume water pipeline to improve the water supply to both Kilifi and Mombasa counties. The completion of this project has led to the end of water rationing in areas such as Malindi and Watamu, significantly improving the lives of residents.

However, despite these advancements, challenges persist. Power outages, often caused by strong winds, have disrupted water supply systems, leaving many areas without access to water. Additionally, the reliance on electricity for water pumping has resulted in high operational costs, prompting discussions on transitioning to solar-powered systems to ensure sustainability. Beyond infrastructural issues, socio-economic factors play a significant role in water accessibility. In many communities, women and girls bear the brunt of water collection duties, often having to travel long distances to fetch water. This not only exposes them to potential safety risks but also limits their opportunities for education and economic activities. Furthermore, the cost of purchasing water from vendors can be prohibitive for low-income households, leading to reliance on unsafe water sources.

Environmental concerns, such as saltwater intrusion into freshwater aquifers, further complicate the issue of water scarcity. In coastal areas like Kilifi and Mombasa, over-extraction of groundwater has led to the contamination of water sources with saline water, rendering them unsuitable for consumption. This necessitates the implementation of sustainable water management practices to protect existing water sources. Community-based initiatives have also emerged as practical solutions to water scarcity. The construction of water pans and sand dams has provided alternative sources of water for domestic and agricultural use. These structures capture and store rainwater, ensuring a steady supply during dry periods. Such projects not only improve water accessibility but also empower communities by involving them in the management and maintenance of these resources.

In conclusion, while significant strides have been made to address water scarcity between Kilifi and Mombasa, a multifaceted approach is essential. This includes investing in resilient infrastructure, promoting sustainable water management practices, and addressing socio-economic disparities that hinder access to clean water. By adopting a holistic strategy, it is possible to ensure that all communities in the region have reliable access to this vital resource.