Maasai Mara University to Venture in Water Bottling (Mmaraqua)

Growing drinking water demand and water scarcity have turned into a notable challenge in Kenya. Climate change, population growth, urbanization, water pollution and poor management of water resources have aggravated the issue of the water crisis, which affects economic activities, food security, education and health. The challenge of access to safe drinking water is more pronounced in Narok County due to the semi-arid nature of most parts of the County. Sustainable Development Goal number 6 calls for universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water. The target is tracked with the indicator of safely managed drinking water services which encompasses drinking water from an improved water source that is free from faecal and priority chemical contamination. Contaminated waters are linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio. Absent or inadequate safe drinking water expose individuals to preventable health risks.

Maasai Mara University being an academic and research institution geared towards solving societal problems, has rolled out a process of solving the shortage of safe drinking water in Narok County through identification of a water source and subsequent bottling of the same. Bottled water is becoming increasingly important for contemporary consumers and it is a part of daily life. There are three main types of bottled waters, mineral water, spring water and potable water. The spring water and natural mineral waters are bottled without treatment, while potable water is bottled after pre-treatment resulting in artificially altered chemical composition. Spring waters are required to comply with drinking water regulations nationally and internationally. Through its international partnerships, the University received a donation of ECOH₂O Nano-water filters capable of filtering out bacteria and any other impurities from water devoid of any chemicals involved. The University intents to use this technology to purify water from an identified spring and bottle the same to have the Maasai Mara University natural mineral bottled water (MMARAQUA) kin to Keringet, Kabarnet and Mount Kenya Natural mineral water. On Wednesday 26^th and Thursday 27^th February 2025, a team of Scientists from the University visited several water sources within Narok County to collect water samples from Natural sources for laboratory testing. This exercise is intended to identify safe drinking water source which is sustainable for bottling purposes. The University purposes to speed up this process so that the MMARAQUA branded Natural Mineral water is a reality in the shortest time possible.

In addition, during the exercise, the University donated two water tanks, each with a capacity of 10,0000 litres  to Leshuta Secondary School. Soil samples were taken for ana;yis from the University lands in Leshuta and Oletukat.

The team comprised of Dr. W. Nyaigoti Omwoyo, Senior Lecturer, Inorganic Chemistry/Nanotechnology, Mr. Evans Ouya, Mr. Jackson Masago , Co-Ordinator Centre for Community Outreach, Nickson Magak, Public Relations, Marketing and Linkages and Mr. Edga Madoya, Spanomadics Lab and Chemicals.