- This is following the completion of the Northern Water Collector Tunnel, which will bring an additional 140 million litres of water daily into the city's distribution system.
- Sakaja said the influx will help alleviate the chronic water shortages that have plagued various parts of the city among them Eastlands, Kabete, Lang'ata.
Image: NCCG
Nairobi residents are set to experience a significant improvement in their water supply.
This follows the completion of the Northern Water Collector Tunnel, which will bring an additional 140 million litres of water daily into the city's distribution system.
Governor Johnson Sakaja assured this during a recent tour of the Gigiri Reservoir and pumping station.
He said the influx will help alleviate the chronic water shortages that have plagued various parts of the city among them Eastlands, Kabete, and Lang'ata.
"We are committed to achieving water justice in Nairobi," Sakaja said.
"Residents who have been receiving water only once a week can now expect to see supply increase to two or even three times a week as the new system comes online."
Governor Sakaja emphasised the importance of water quality, saying engineers from the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) are conducting rigorous tests every 30 minutes to ensure the water meets the highest safety and quality standards.
"Our goal is to reduce the reliance on borehole water, which often poses a risk of waterborne diseases," he said, stressing the need for clean, safe, and reliable water for all Nairobi residents.
The Northern Water Collector Tunnel, which will soon supply 85 per cent of Nairobi's water needs, marks a critical step toward resolving the city's water crisis.
However, Governor Sakaja stated that the challenge of equitable distribution remains, with the city’s ongoing population growth necessitating careful management of water rationing.
"We have secured commitments from our partners in South East Asia, who have pledged over $100 million (Sh129 billion) to support Nairobi’s water sector," he said.
"With Nairobi’s population projected to reach 10 million by 2050, investment in robust water infrastructure is not just necessary but urgent."
In addition to the infrastructure improvements, Sakaja praised the NWSC for its financial performance, having achieved a record collection of Sh10.7 billion in water bill payments during the last fiscal year.
"This milestone is unprecedented, and we are now looking to implement more advanced technologies in water billing to further enhance our efficiency," he said.
NWSC Managing Director Engineer Nahashon Muguna echoed the governor's optimism, confirming that the integration of the new water supply from the Northern Water Collector Tunnel is on track for completion by October.
"We are fully committed to ensuring that this project is ready within the next eight weeks, bringing much-needed relief to Nairobi's residents," Engineer Muguna affirmed.
The completion of the project is expected to be a game-changer for Nairobi, promising a more reliable water supply and a move towards greater water equity in the city.