Nairobi residents are set to experience a significant enhancement in their water supply within the next eight weeks, as Governor Johnson Sakaja announces the integration of 140 million litres of water daily into the city’s distribution system.
This development comes as part of the ongoing efforts to address water shortages and improve access across various parts of Nairobi.
Governor Sakaja made the announcement during a recent visit to the Gigiri Reservoir and pumping station, where the Northern Water Collector Tunnel is being integrated into Nairobi’s water network.
The Governor assured residents in Eastlands, parts of Kabete, Lang’ata, and other affected areas that they will see a marked improvement in water availability.
“We are committed to achieving water justice in Nairobi,” Governor Sakaja declared.
He highlighted that areas previously receiving water only once a week would soon benefit from increased supply, potentially reaching twice or even three times a week. This improvement is expected to alleviate the long-standing water supply issues faced by many Nairobi residents.
The Governor emphasized the focus on water quality, noting that engineers from the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) are conducting rigorous tests every 30 minutes to ensure that the water meets the highest standards.
“Our goal is to reduce the reliance on borehole water to prevent water-related diseases,” he added.
The Northern Water Collector Tunnel is projected to address 85% of Nairobi’s water demand. Governor Sakaja underscored the importance of equitable distribution, stating that rationing will be carefully managed to ensure fairness across all areas once the project is completed.
“This project is crucial as Nairobi’s population is expected to reach 10 million by 2050,” Sakaja said. “We must invest in infrastructure that will meet this growing demand.”
The Governor also highlighted that Nairobi’s water sector has received substantial support from international partners, with Southeast Asian investors pledging over $100 million to bolster the city’s water infrastructure. This financial backing is set to play a key role in sustaining and expanding water supply initiatives.
Record-Breaking Water Bill Collections
In addition to the water supply improvements, Governor Sakaja praised the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) for achieving a record KSh 10.7 billion in water bill collections over the past financial year.
He attributed this milestone to the improved efficiency and transparency in billing processes and announced plans to further integrate technology to enhance water billing systems.
“This achievement is unprecedented,” Sakaja stated. “We plan to leverage more technology in our billing processes to improve efficiency and service delivery.”
NWSC Managing Director Engineer Nahashon Muguna confirmed that the Northern Water Collector Tunnel project is progressing as planned and is on track to be completed by October. “We are doing everything possible to ensure the project is ready in the next eight weeks,” Muguna assured.
The completion of the Northern Water Collector Tunnel and the subsequent increase in water supply are expected to bring significant relief to Nairobi residents, addressing long-standing issues of water scarcity and improving overall quality of life.
The initiative reflects the Governor’s commitment to tackling water-related challenges and ensuring that the city’s infrastructure keeps pace with its growing population.
