james wika 
Davis & Shirtliff partners with government to drill water for 2 million Kenyans across the country
Davis & Shirtliff, a leading water and energy solutions provider, has partnered with the National Steering Committee on Drought Response (NSCODR) to implement a project aimed at drilling 100 boreholes in 32 devolved units across Kenya.
The primary objective of this project is to directly benefit 2 million Kenyans residing in drought-stricken areas throughout the country.
In alignment with this, Davis & Shirtliff and NSCODR have devised comprehensive plans to enhance community resilience, focusing on livelihoods that enable communities to pool resources for the maintenance of these boreholes.
“This strategic partnership signifies a dedicated endeavor to craft and execute a Sustainable Resilience Program, focused on fortifying water infrastructure facilities.
Our collective mission is to proactively alleviate the repercussions of drought, thereby safeguarding the nation from its pervasive impact and effects,” said Mr George Mbugua, Davis & Shirtliff Group CEO.
As part of this partnership, Davis & Shirtliff will supply high-quality spare parts and accessories, accompanied by a warranty on the equipment to be procured and installed at identified borehole sites by contracted drillers and equippers.
Davis & Shirtliff has actively participated in various drought response interventions as advised by NSCODR, contributing expertise in designing Bills of Quantities, providing technical advice on boreholes and associated works, and evaluating bidders and technical documents to ensure optimal results.
Established in November 2022 by President William Ruto, NSCODR has been mandated to create a private sector-led National Drought Mitigation Appeal Fund and mobilize funds to support the government’s drought response program.
Kenya, like its Horn of Africa counterparts, grapples with a severe water crisis, exacerbated by prolonged droughts linked to climate change and escalating demand driven by population growth.
According to the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, only 68% of the national population has access to basic drinking water services, with some counties, such as Kitui, experiencing less than 30% coverage, posing a significant challenge for a substantial portion of the population in securing this essential resource.
The Economic Survey 2023 reveals a notable increase in boreholes drilled annually as an alternative water source to address unreliable water supply.
In the 2022/23 Financial Year, the number of boreholes drilled surged by 15%, reaching 45,086, with the private sector contributing a significant 90.4% to the total boreholes drilled.
