In the arid landscapes of North Horr, Marsabit County, Kenya, where water scarcity has long been a harsh reality, an innovative startup is turning the tide by extracting water from thin air. Majik Water, co-founded by Beth Koigi, is revolutionizing access to clean drinking water for thousands of people in one of Kenya’s driest regions.
The company’s groundbreaking technology uses Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) powered by solar energy to capture moisture from the air and condense it into safe, mineral-rich drinking water. Unlike traditional water systems, these units can function effectively even in low-humidity environments, producing up to 10 liters of water daily.
In Marsabit, where over 90% of water sources are contaminated or have run dry, Majik Water’s solution is proving to be a game-changer. The impact is particularly significant for women and girls, who often bear the burden of water collection, sometimes walking over 5 kilometers for unsafe water.
Grace Galmo, Marsabit’s Water and Environment executive, highlights the urgent need for such innovations: “Access to water has become a battlefield. We need technologies that return control to communities.”
The benefits extend beyond mere water provision. At North Horr Primary School, principal Konchora Tadi reports improved attendance, especially among girls who previously missed school during menstruation due to lack of clean water and sanitation facilities.
Health outcomes are also improving. A clinic near Loiyangalani piloting Majik Water’s technology has seen a 60% reduction in waterborne diseases within six months. Nurse Josphine Lemuna notes, “Now, we can treat wounds and hydrate children safely.”
Majik Water’s approach goes beyond technology. The startup employs a pay-as-you-go model, enabling local entrepreneurs and women’s cooperatives to own and operate the units, creating economic opportunities alongside water access.
Currently, 5,000 people benefit from the project, with plans to reach 500,000 more across Kenya’s arid zones. The startup has deployed 25 units so far, supported by partners like North Horr Constituency and PACIDA.
As global water scarcity intensifies, with 1.8 billion people expected to face absolute water scarcity by 2025, solutions like Majik Water offer hope. The startup’s success in Marsabit demonstrates that combining renewable energy, AI-driven optimization, and community ownership can provide effective, localized solutions to global challenges.
Koigi emphasizes, “We’re not just giving people water. We’re building systems people can run themselves.” In doing so, Majik Water is not only quenching thirst but also empowering communities and restoring dignity in Kenya’s dry north.
