TapWaterGuide
Worldwide water safety reference
Not Safe Kenya · Last reviewed:

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Nairobi?

No, tap water in Nairobi is not safe to drink. Use bottled or properly filtered/boiled water throughout your trip.

Hardness
Not centrally published; not relevant given universal bottled/filtered use.
Country
Kenya
Rating
Not Safe

Water Source

Nairobi's utility treats water from the Ndakaini Dam and other sources, but supply is often intermittent and distribution infrastructure allows contamination between the treatment plant and the tap.

Contaminants & Concerns

Bacterial contamination from intermittent supply and aging pipes is the main concern.

Tips

  • Bottled water is widely available in the city and at hotels
  • Use bottled water for brushing teeth
  • Safari lodges outside the city typically provide bottled or filtered water as standard

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & References

The safety rating and guidance on this page draw on the following sources. See our full methodology.