Nairobi to continue rationing water despite ongoing rains

Water will still be rationed in Nairobi despite the ongoing rains.

Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Limited said the equitable water distribution program will enable customers receive water at least once a week.

Managing Director Engineer Nahason Muguna said the city is limited to the installed production capacity.

Muguna said water is still being rationed even though dams are full and some overflowing.

"We have to first treat the water from the dams before it gets to our taps. The water has to go through our water treatment plants that have a maximum production capacity of 525.6 million litres per day, against a demand of 870 million litres."

Nairobi County has four sources of water namely: Kikuyu Springs, Ruiru, Sasumua and Thika Dams.

The four sources of water have an installed maximum daily production capacity of 440 million, 61 million, 20 million and 4 million litres respectively.

"The water is treated in Ngethu, Sasumua, Kabete and Kikuyu Water Treatment Works," Nairobi Water noted.

To address the gap in the demand and supply of water, the National and County Governments are developing the Northern Collector Tunnel Phase I Water Project which is due for commissioning in March 2024.

"The development is through Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA). It is expected to deliver an additional 140 million liters of water to the city per day."

At the same time, the Karemenu Dam Project by AWWDA is in the final stages and will deliver 23 million liters of water per day by the end of this year.

"We expected that once the two projects are completed, every customer will receive water at least thrice a week," Muguna added.

The National and County Governments have secured funding of up to 15.3 billion shillings for the development of the Northern Collector Tunnel Phase II Project in Murang'a to bring an additional 120 million liters to Nairobi per day by 2026.

"Additionally, the development of Maragua IV dam through Public Private Partnerships is at the final stage of procurement and once completed in 2028 it will boost supply by an additional 130 million liters per day."