Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has announced a crackdown on illegal sewer connections as the county moves to address growing pressure on the city’s aging sanitation infrastructure, even as residents raise concerns over persistent drainage failures.

Nassir said parts of the sewer system were constructed in the 1930s when Mombasa’s population stood at about 30,000, compared to more than 1.9 million residents today.

“Mombasa is growing, and the pressure on this old infrastructure is real and visible,” the governor said.

The governor blamed illegal connections and improper waste disposal for worsening the situation, warning that such practices damage the sewer network and undermine public health.

“Some people are taking shortcuts by illegally connecting to sewer lines without informing the county and by disposing waste that clogs the system. This must stop,” Nassir said, adding that the county has begun identifying and regularising illegal connections and will hold offenders accountable.

His remarks come against the backdrop of demonstrations held last week by a section of Old Town residents, who protested over poor drainage in the area.

The residents warned that the state of drainage exposes them to disease outbreaks, particularly affecting children, and accused the county government of slow action, urging authorities to intervene urgently.

Nassir acknowledged that enforcement alone will not resolve the challenge, noting that Mombasa requires sustained investment to modernise and expand its sewer infrastructure. He said the county had opted for a Public Private Partnership model to bring in capital and technical expertise.

“The reality is that we need heavy investment to deliver long-term, sustainable solutions,” he said, while calling on residents and businesses to cooperate, adding that “a clean, functional city is a shared responsibility.”