The long-delayed and heavily criticised Kanye Sanitation Project is finally nearing completion, with government officials projecting final works to be concluded by September 2025. This marks the near end of what has become one of Botswana’s most controversial public infrastructure projects—plagued by delays, public backlash, and a ballooning price tag that has skyrocketed from P707 million to over P3.35 billion.

The update was delivered in Parliament recently by the Minister of Water and Human Settlement, Onneetse Ramogapi, in response to a question from Kanye East Member of Parliament Prince Mosanana, who pressed the government for clarity on the finalisation of the sanitation works and the ongoing rehabilitation of Kanye’s aging water infrastructure.

The Minister apologised to the people of Kanye for the prolonged delay, admitting that the 48-month project—originally scheduled for completion in October 2019—had missed multiple deadlines, citing both technical and administrative challenges. “Let me first take this opportunity to humbly apologise to the people of Kanye on behalf of the Ministry for taking more time than planned to complete the Kanye Sanitation Project,” Ramogapi said.

The project’s troubled history dates back to 2007 when Africon Botswana conducted a geotechnical survey that grossly underestimated the quantity of hard rock in the area—reporting just 8% when actual levels during construction reached up to 90%. This miscalculation led to extensive and expensive blasting operations, added haulage of backfill material, and overall delays in pipeline construction.

Access to sites proved equally problematic, as the project route passed through unplanned residential layouts, requiring property acquisition from over 1,000 landowners. Compensation for affected properties has so far cost P24.3 million, with nearly 750 public complaints still unresolved. The disruption has been widespread, with some homeowners experiencing trenching through their yards, damaged fences, or incomplete sewer connections, leading to mounting public frustration.

Initially contracted to Estate Construction (Pty) Ltd for just over P707 million, the Kanye Sanitation Project has since become one of Botswana’s most expensive infrastructure undertakings, with costs now exceeding P3.35 billion.

Despite its chequered past, the project is now at 98.8% completion, with several components already operational. The wastewater treatment plant is 99.5% complete and functioning, while 729 institutional and household connections have been made. Pump stations, vacuum lines, and access roads are mostly complete, although Pump Station 3, which suffered mechanical damage during testing, still awaits repairs expected to be completed by August 2025. Final pipeline works are delayed in areas like Ntsweng and Mafikana, where hard rock and property disputes have slowed progress.

Parallel to the sanitation project is the Kanye Water Network Rehabilitation, which aims to address long-standing issues of low water pressure and supply shortages across 12 wards. The current emergency phase is expected to finish by August 2025, though full water delivery improvements depend on future funding for the broader Kanye-Moshupa Rehabilitation Project under National Development Plan 12. In the interim, water bowsing remains the only viable solution for many residents.

More than 1,400 public complaints have been recorded over the life of the project, ranging from inadequate compensation to health hazards caused by open trenches and unfinished works. Only 629 complaints have been resolved, and dozens more remain under review or inspection.

Facilities already benefiting from the sanitation network include Seepapitso Senior Secondary School, Kanye Prison, Sejelo Police Station, Police College, DADA Clinic, and several government housing complexes. Additional institutions are connected but await final terminations to fully activate the network.

With the finish line now in sight, the government has committed to completing the project within this financial year. 

Construction began in August 2015 and was expected to be completed by October 2019. The revised completion date is now September 2025.