Borehole Drilling Costs Across Kenya 2026

Transparent 2026 rates for all 47 counties — drilling KES 3,800/m · PVC KES 2,000/m · steel KES 2,400/m · gravel KES 300/m · mobilization varies. Includes interactive calculator.

Cost Guide & Calculator
18 min read Updated: May 23, 2026
Start here

Everything you need to budget your borehole — clearly

No hidden bundles. Kisima publishes every line item so you know what you pay for before the rig arrives. Most full projects land between KES 800,000 and KES 4,000,000 depending on depth, county, and pump choice.

A borehole is one of Kenya's best long-term water investments — if you understand the cost structure upfront.
KES 6,100
Per metre (PVC structure)
+ mobilization
47
Counties covered
same metre rates
2–6 weeks
Typical timeline
survey → water
1

Use the calculator

Pick county, depth & casing — get an instant itemized total.

2

Read your phase

Survey, drilling, testing & pump — see what each step costs.

3

Compare your county

Mobilization varies; metre rates do not.

Interactive Cost Calculator

Choose county, set depth with the slider or number box, and get an instant itemized estimate. Works on phone and desktop.

2026 Kisima rates

Rate snapshot — every line item

These rates apply nationwide. Standard mobilization is KES 40,000; remote northern and arid counties are higher (see county table).

Survey
KES 35,000

Find water before you drill — saves costly dry holes.

Permits
KES 125,000

WRA + NEMA + EIA + County — we handle paperwork.

Drilling
KES 3,800/m

Billed on metres actually drilled.

Casing
2,000–2,400/m

PVC or steel — protects your borehole wall.

Gravel
KES 300/m

Filtration & stability around the screen.

Mobilization
Varies

From ~KES 40K urban to ~KES 550K far north.

Test pumping
70K–170K

Prove yield & water quality.

Pump
300K–1.5M

Electric, solar, or equip later.

Quick formula

DrillingKES 3,800/m
PVCKES 2,000/m
SteelKES 2,400/m
GravelKES 300/m
MobilizationPer county

PVC: depth × KES 6,100 + mobilization  |  Steel: depth × KES 6,500 + mobilization. Add survey, permits, pump & treatment on top.

Deep dive

Your borehole in 4 phases

Tap each phase to expand details. This is the same order Kisima runs projects — and the same order on your quote.

Phase 1 — Plan & permit

Survey + all regulatory approvals

~KES 160,000

Survey (KES 35,000): Geophysical mapping, optimal drill point, depth recommendation, yield prediction. Skipping this risks a dry hole — 50%+ failure without survey vs 95%+ with one.

Permits (KES 125,000 all-in): WRA KES 30K · NEMA KES 15K · EIA KES 50K · County KES 30K. Timeline 2–4 weeks; Kisima handles all submissions.

Phase 2 — Drill & line the hole

Itemized per metre + mobilization

Varies by depth
ItemRateNote
DrillingKES 3,800/mActual metres drilled
PVC casingKES 2,000/mMost homes & farms
Steel casingKES 2,400/mDeep / industrial
Gravel packKES 300/mScreen zone filtration
MobilizationKES 40,000Remote counties (e.g. Turkana) higher

Worked examples (structure only)

Kiambu 150m PVC: KES 955,000  ·  Nairobi 200m steel: KES 1,340,000  ·  Turkana 70m PVC: KES 907,000

PVC vs steel: Steel adds KES 400/m on casing — KES 60,000 extra on a 150m hole. Worth it where geology demands; PVC excels for most residential use.

Phase 3 — Test & prove the water

Yield certification + lab analysis

KES 70K–170K

24–72 hour test pumping, drawdown readings, borehole development, yield certification. Lab testing (pH, TDS, iron, bacteria, fluoride) typically KES 15,000–40,000 extra depending on parameters.

Remote counties: KES 120,000–170,000. Accessible sites: KES 70,000–100,000.

Phase 4 — Pump & treat (optional)

Bring water to your tap

KES 300K–1.5M+

Electric pump: KES 300,000–500,000 upfront · best with grid power.

Solar pump: KES 500,000–1,100,000 · zero monthly bills · ideal off-grid.

Treatment (if needed): Iron removal from KES 150K · defluoridation KES 300K · RO KES 450K — common in Rift Valley & coast.

All 47 counties

County mobilization & typical depth

Same metre rates everywhere — expand your region below. For a full project total, use the calculator above.

How to read the tables

  • KES 6,100/m (PVC): drilling + casing + gravel per metre
  • Est. structure: typical depth range × rates + mobilization
Arid / Remote 9 counties
CountyMobilizationTypical DepthPVC Total/m*Steel Total/m*Est. Structure (PVC)
GarissaKES 450,000180–270mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 1.55M–KES 2.10M
IsioloKES 400,000180–300mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 1.50M–KES 2.23M
LamuKES 380,000120–220mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 1.11M–KES 1.72M
ManderaKES 550,000180–300mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 1.65M–KES 2.38M
MarsabitKES 550,000200–450mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 1.77M–KES 3.30M
SamburuKES 420,000180–300mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 1.52M–KES 2.25M
Tana RiverKES 400,00080–150mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 888K–KES 1.32M
TurkanaKES 480,00040–120mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 724K–KES 1.21M
WajirKES 520,000200–300mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 1.74M–KES 2.35M
Central 7 counties
CountyMobilizationTypical DepthPVC Total/m*Steel Total/m*Est. Structure (PVC)
KiambuKES 40,000130–200mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 833K–KES 1.26M
KirinyagaKES 40,000110–190mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 711K–KES 1.2M
LaikipiaKES 40,000120–200mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 772K–KES 1.26M
MurangaKES 40,000120–220mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 772K–KES 1.38M
NairobiKES 40,000180–250mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 1.14M–KES 1.56M
NyandaruaKES 40,000150–240mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 955K–KES 1.5M
NyeriKES 40,000100–180mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 650K–KES 1.14M
Coast 4 counties
CountyMobilizationTypical DepthPVC Total/m*Steel Total/m*Est. Structure (PVC)
KilifiKES 40,000100–180mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 650K–KES 1.14M
KwaleKES 40,000130–210mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 833K–KES 1.32M
MombasaKES 40,000120–200mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 772K–KES 1.26M
Taita TavetaKES 40,000150–250mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 955K–KES 1.56M
Eastern 6 counties
CountyMobilizationTypical DepthPVC Total/m*Steel Total/m*Est. Structure (PVC)
EmbuKES 40,000120–190mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 772K–KES 1.2M
KituiKES 40,000130–220mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 833K–KES 1.38M
MachakosKES 40,000120–200mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 772K–KES 1.26M
MakueniKES 40,000120–220mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 772K–KES 1.38M
MeruKES 40,000130–200mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 833K–KES 1.26M
Tharaka NithiKES 40,000140–220mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 894K–KES 1.38M
Nyanza 6 counties
CountyMobilizationTypical DepthPVC Total/m*Steel Total/m*Est. Structure (PVC)
Homa BayKES 40,00080–180mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 528K–KES 1.14M
KisiiKES 40,000100–180mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 650K–KES 1.14M
KisumuKES 40,00060–120mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 406K–KES 772K
MigoriKES 40,00070–130mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 467K–KES 833K
NyamiraKES 40,00090–150mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 589K–KES 955K
SiayaKES 40,00070–130mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 467K–KES 833K
Rift Valley 11 counties
CountyMobilizationTypical DepthPVC Total/m*Steel Total/m*Est. Structure (PVC)
BaringoKES 40,000150–280mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 955K–KES 1.75M
BometKES 40,000100–170mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 650K–KES 1.08M
Elgeyo MarakwetKES 40,000100–180mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 650K–KES 1.14M
KajiadoKES 40,000160–270mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 1.02M–KES 1.69M
KerichoKES 40,00090–150mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 589K–KES 955K
NakuruKES 40,000130–220mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 833K–KES 1.38M
NandiKES 40,000100–160mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 650K–KES 1.02M
NarokKES 40,000140–220mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 894K–KES 1.38M
Trans NzoiaKES 40,000100–160mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 650K–KES 1.02M
Uasin GishuKES 40,000100–180mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 650K–KES 1.14M
West PokotKES 40,000120–200mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 772K–KES 1.26M
Western 4 counties
CountyMobilizationTypical DepthPVC Total/m*Steel Total/m*Est. Structure (PVC)
BungomaKES 40,000120–200mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 772K–KES 1.26M
BusiaKES 40,00080–140mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 528K–KES 894K
KakamegaKES 40,000150–250mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 955K–KES 1.56M
VihigaKES 40,00090–150mKES 6,100/mKES 6,500/mKES 589K–KES 955K

*Per-metre structure total = drilling (KES 3,800) + casing + gravel (KES 300), plus one-off mobilization per project. Steel casing uses KES 6,500/m; PVC uses KES 6,100/m.

Proof

Real projects, real numbers

Six recent Kisima jobs — itemized exactly how your quote will look.

Residential · Nairobi

200m steel · electric pump

KES 2,085,000
  • Structure + permits + surveyKES 1,500,000
  • Test pumpingKES 85,000
  • Electric pumpKES 500,000

50+ L/hr year-round for family of 6

Farm · Kajiado

270m steel · solar

KES 3,220,000
  • Deep structure + logisticsKES 2,010,000
  • Permits & surveyKES 160,000
  • Solar systemKES 1,100,000

80+ L/hr irrigation · zero power bills

Community · Turkana

70m PVC · solar + fluoride

KES 1,987,000
  • Shallow drill · high mobilizationKES 907,000
  • Remote testingKES 120,000
  • Solar + defluoridationKES 800,000

Safe water for 200+ people

Residential · Kiambu

150m PVC · electric

KES 1,750,000
  • Structure (PVC)KES 1,005,000
  • Permits & surveyKES 160,000
  • Pump & testingKES 585,000

Reliable family supply

Commercial · Kisumu

120m PVC · iron removal

KES 1,722,000
  • Structure + permitsKES 947,000
  • Pump & testingKES 585,000
  • Iron removalKES 150,000

150 L/hr for hotel operations

School · Machakos

200m steel · solar

KES 2,745,000
  • Structure + permitsKES 1,710,000
  • Solar pumpKES 850,000
  • TestingKES 85,000

500+ students · zero operating cost

Pro tips

7 ways to spend wisely

Small decisions early save hundreds of thousands later.

Always survey first

KES 35,000 survey vs KES 1.5M+ dry hole. ROI is immediate.

Don't over-drill

50 extra metres ≈ KES 305,000 structure cost for little yield gain.

Match pump to site

Solar wins off-grid; electric wins on reliable grid.

Plan treatment early

Test water before quoting treatment — no surprise costs.

PVC where possible

Saves KES 60,000 on 150m vs steel — great for most homes.

Group mobilization

Neighbours drilling together can share transport costs.

Book off-season

Dry-season slots fill slower — better availability and scheduling.

Questions

Frequently asked

How much does a full borehole cost in Kenya?
Typically KES 900,000 – 3,500,000 all-in. Structure is depth × KES 6,100 (PVC) or 6,500 (steel) plus mobilization. Add KES 160,000 for survey + permits, then pump and treatment.
What is the cost per metre in Nairobi?
Drilling KES 3,800/m · PVC KES 2,000/m · gravel KES 300/m · mobilization from ~KES 40,000. At 200m PVC, structure ≈ KES 1.3M before pump.
Why is Turkana expensive if water is shallow?
Metre rates are the same — mobilization (KES 480,000+) reflects 500+ km rig transport, harsh conditions, and logistics. You still only pay for metres drilled.
What permits do I need?
KES 125,000 package: WRA, NEMA, EIA, and county registration. Kisima processes everything in 2–4 weeks.

Ready to Get Your Exact Borehole Cost?

Use our interactive calculator above for a quick estimate based on Kisima's actual 2026 rates, then contact us for a detailed, site-specific quote with no hidden costs.

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