Quick answer: borehole drilling in Kenya costs KES 6,500 to KES 7,200 per metre for air drilling with Bonvic Drilling, and that rate already includes casing, gravel packing, well development, test pumping and a water quality analysis. Add a KES 50,000 hydrogeological survey and about KES 85,000 for permits, and a typical 150 to 250 metre borehole costs roughly KES 1.1 million to KES 2 million before you add a pump.
The figures on this page come from real quotations we issued to clients across Kenya in 2026, so you can see what people actually paid rather than a guess. Your own price depends on depth, ground conditions and how you plan to use the water, and we confirm it in writing after the survey.
Borehole Drilling Cost in Kenya: Full Breakdown (2026)
| Item | Cost (KES) | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrogeological survey | 50,000 | Finds the best drilling point and the expected depth before you spend on drilling |
| Permits (WRA, NEMA and county) | About 85,000 | All approvals needed to drill legally; takes about one month |
| Air drilling (most of Kenya) | 6,500 to 7,200 per metre | Drilling, casing, gravel packing, well development, test pumping and chemical analysis |
| Mud rotary drilling (loose or collapsing ground, common at the coast) | About 11,500 per metre | Needed where the hole would cave in during air drilling |
| Surface casing (only where needed) | About 5,000 per metre | Holds back loose topsoil; agreed on site |
| Pump and solar system | Quoted after test pumping | Sized to the yield and depth your borehole actually gives |
Want a figure for your exact depth and county? Try our borehole cost calculator for an instant estimate.
Real Borehole Quotes from 2026
These are drilling quotes from recent Bonvic jobs. Survey and permits are separate, as shown in the table above.
| County | Depth | Method | Rate per metre | Drilling cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Narok | 270 m | Air | 6,500 | KES 1,755,000 |
| Kajiado (Loitokitok) | Irrigation borehole | Air | 6,600 | Depth set on site |
| Machakos and Kajiado (Kiserian) | Set by survey | Air | 6,900 | Depth × 6,900 |
| 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 |
Worked example: a 200 metre borehole in Machakos
- Hydrogeological survey: KES 50,000
- Permits: KES 85,000
- Drilling 200 m at KES 6,900: KES 1,380,000 (casing, gravel pack, development, test pumping and water analysis included)
- Total before the pump: KES 1,515,000
What Makes a Borehole Cost More or Less
1. Depth
Depth is the biggest factor because you pay per metre. Most boreholes in Kenya are 100 to 300 metres deep, but the water table changes a lot from one county to the next. Check typical figures for your area in our guide to borehole depth by county in Kenya. The British Geological Survey’s hydrogeology of Kenya also explains why aquifers sit so much deeper in some regions.
2. Ground conditions and drilling method
Hard rock is drilled with air, which is faster and cheaper. Loose sand and collapsing formations, common along the coast, need mud rotary drilling, which costs close to double per metre. Read air vs mud drilling in Kenya to see which one your site is likely to need.
3. Choosing the right drilling point
Drilling in the wrong spot is the most expensive mistake you can make. A hydrogeological survey costs KES 50,000 and tells you where to drill and how deep, which protects the million shillings or more you are about to spend.
4. Water use and yield
A home needs far less water than a farm, school or estate. Bigger demand can mean a wider hole, a bigger pump and a larger solar array, so we size everything from the test pumping results rather than guessing.
Permit Costs
Every borehole in Kenya needs approval from the Water Resources Authority and an environmental clearance from NEMA, plus county approval. We handle the paperwork for about KES 85,000 in total, and approvals take about one month. The legal basis is the Water Act 2016. For the full process, see do you need permits to drill a borehole in Kenya.
Pump and Solar Costs
Once the borehole is drilled and test pumped, you need a pump to lift the water. Most new boreholes in Kenya now run on solar, which removes the monthly power bill. The cost depends on depth and how much water you need: a community solar pumping system we quoted in Homa Bay County in 2026 came to KES 1.2 million, while a household system is much smaller. See our solar borehole pump systems for what is included.
What If the Borehole Is Dry?
No driller can promise water in every hole, which is exactly why the survey matters. If we do not find adequate water, you pay only part of the drilling cost. The exact terms are written into your drilling agreement before we start, so there are no surprises.
Is a Borehole Worth the Cost?
For most homes, farms and estates, yes. A well built borehole lasts 30 to 50 years, and once it is running on solar your water costs almost nothing each month compared with county water bills or bowser deliveries. Clean water also matters for health; the World Health Organization explains why safe, reliable supply is so important, and every Bonvic borehole includes a water quality analysis.
Planning for a rental building? See borehole for apartments in Kenya. Wondering how long it all takes? See how long it takes to drill a borehole in Kenya.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is borehole drilling per metre in Kenya?
With Bonvic Drilling, air drilling costs KES 6,500 to KES 7,200 per metre including casing, gravel packing, development, test pumping and water analysis. Mud rotary drilling in loose ground costs about KES 11,500 per metre.
How much does a 100 metre borehole cost?
About KES 650,000 to KES 720,000 for drilling, plus KES 50,000 for the survey and about KES 85,000 for permits. That is roughly KES 785,000 to KES 855,000 before the pump.
How long does borehole drilling take?
Permits take about one month. Drilling itself usually takes about three days on site for a typical domestic borehole, followed by test pumping and pump installation.
Is the hydrogeological survey included in the drilling price?
No. The survey is a separate KES 50,000 and is done first, because its results decide where and how deep we drill.
Can I pay for a borehole in stages?
Yes. Payment is spread across the project, from mobilisation to completion. See how to pay for a borehole in Kenya for staged payment options.
WhatsApp your location (town and county) to 0727 666 444 and we will tell you the expected depth and a cost range for your area. Drilling across all 47 counties since 2010.
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