AS the rehabilitation of the Nairobi River continues, the project could prove a boon for adjacent slum residents as it now involves modernising the sanitation and sewerage infrastructure.
The project is on its second phase with the sewerage expansion component being jointly funded by the Kenyan government and the African Development Bank Group.
Progress highlights seen by the Star shows that so far, up to 440km of primary and secondary sewer lines have been constructed to link with existing trunk sewers built during the programme’s first phase.
“The project’s goal is to contribute to sustainable development through improved health and environmental management. Specific objectives of the programme include increased sewerage coverage in Nairobi city from the current 48 to 55 per cent by serving over 400,000 residents.”
It is also to reduce pollution levels of Nairobi River by collecting and treating 80,000m3 per day of waste. It should also enhance sustainability of sewerage operations through increased revenue collection.
The plan shows that the sewer expansion component is part of the broader government approach under Vision 2030 to upgrade all Kenyans’ access to clean water and proper sanitation by the lapse of the blueprints operational period, that is 2030.
Besides the main sewer lines, 38km of tertiary sewers have been laid and over 4,000 household connections have been completed, the progress report shows.
The new sewer connections are expected to serve at least 250,000 people in Kahawa West, Kahawa Sukari, Githurai 44 and 45, Mwiki, Clayworks and surrounding areas in east and west Nairobi.
Athi Water Works Development Agency, which is overseeing the implementation of the sewerage reticulation reform component, says its focus is ensuring wastewater from industrial and domestic sources are properly captured, managed and recycled.
“The main motivation of the NaRSIP programme is to ensure wastewater from domestic and industrial sources is collected and treated for a cleaner environment,” CEO of the agency, Joseph Kamau, told media outlets.
Further, the project also focuses on improving public amenities like schools’ access to modernised sanitation.
For example, the document reads that more than 10 schools have benefited from new or rehabilitated ablution facilities under NaRSIP.
Also, the project aims at enhanced sustainable management of the Nairobi rivers that support natural ecosystems regeneration, socio-economic activities and improved livelihoods.
The rivers in the Nairobi Basin include; the Nairobi river, Ngong river, Mathare river, Kiu river, Riara river and Gatharaini river.
The development comes as Nairobi
county administration recently gazetted intention to declare the Nairobi River Corridor a Special Planning
Area, inviting the public to submit
their views within two weeks.
