A borehole in Kenya often costs more than a million shillings. That surprises many people, until they see what goes into one.
This guide breaks the price down using our own 2026 client quotations, so you can see where the money goes and how to keep the total down. For the full price list, see borehole drilling cost in Kenya.
Where the Money Goes
| Item | Cost (KES) | Why it costs what it does |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrogeological survey | 50,000 | A day of field readings plus a signed report that sets the drilling point and depth |
| Permits (WRA, NEMA, county) | About 85,000 | Legal approvals under the Water Act 2016; about a month |
| Air drilling, per metre | 6,500 to 7,200 | Rig, compressor, fuel, crew, casing, gravel pack, development, test pumping and water analysis |
| Mud rotary drilling, per metre | About 11,500 | Slower, specialised drilling for loose or collapsing ground, common at the coast |
| Surface casing where needed, per metre | About 5,000 | Holds back loose topsoil |
| Pump and solar | Quoted after test pumping | Sized to the depth and the yield your borehole actually gives |
Why Depth Matters Most
You pay per metre, and most Kenyan boreholes are 100 to 300 metres deep. Depth changes a lot from one county to the next, from about 25 metres at parts of the coast to over 300 metres around Nairobi and in the arid north. See borehole depth by county.
| Depth | Total before the pump at 6,500/m | Total before the pump at 7,200/m |
|---|---|---|
| 100 m | 785,000 | 855,000 |
| 150 m | 1,110,000 | 1,215,000 |
| 200 m | 1,435,000 | 1,575,000 |
| 250 m | 1,760,000 | 1,935,000 |
| 300 m | 2,085,000 | 2,295,000 |
Real Quotes From 2026
| County | Depth | Method | Rate per metre | Drilling cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Narok | 270 m | Air | 6,500 | KES 1,755,000 |
| Kisii | 220 m | Air | 7,000 | KES 1,540,000 |
| Machakos (Mua) | 320 m | Air | 7,200 | KES 2,304,000 |
| Kilifi (Malindi) | 130 m | Mud rotary | About 11,500 | KES 1,496,000 |
Other Things That Raise the Price
- Hard rock or loose ground: hard formations slow drilling; loose ground needs mud rotary. See air vs mud drilling.
- Distance and access: a heavy rig needs a firm route and space to set up. Remote or hilly sites take longer to reach. See drilling in hilly terrain.
- Water demand: a farm, school or estate needs a bigger pump and solar array than a home.
- Water quality: if the analysis finds fluoride, iron or salt, treatment adds cost.
How to Keep the Cost Down
- Do the survey first. Drilling in the wrong spot is the most expensive mistake there is.
- Budget from the depth the survey gives you, not a guess.
- Compare quotes line by line, at the same depth.
- Share a borehole with neighbours. See shared boreholes for estates.
- Spread the payments with our staged plan: deposit at your own pace and we drill at 75%. See how to pay for a borehole.
Is It Worth It?
For most homes, farms and businesses, yes. A well built borehole lasts 30 to 50 years, and once it runs on solar the water costs very little each month. Compare the numbers in borehole vs county water, or estimate your own figure with our borehole cost calculator.
Talk to Us Before You Drill
WhatsApp your town and county to 0727 666 444 or call 0797 000 555. We will tell you the expected depth and a cost range for your area. Office hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm.
