Govt moves to curb water shortage in Nairobi, environs

Water shortage in Nairobi and its environs is set to be a thing of the past as government plans to develop alternative sources of the precious commodity.

Currently, the city gets its daily water supply from four major sources namely Kikuyu Springs, Ruiru, Sasumua and Thika dams – all of which provide 497,400 cubic metres of water per day.

However, the Ministry of Water through the Athi Water Services Board, together with the World Bank and the French Development Agency, has crafted a master plan that will see other sources of water developed.

The move will, however, not only benefit residents of Nairobi alone but also 13 other satellite towns within a radius of 70km from Nairobi.

The satellite towns include Kikuyu, Ruiru, Juja, Kiambu, Githunguri, Mavoko municipality, Ngong Township, Ongata Rongai, Thika, Gatundu, Limuru, Lari (Uplands and Kimende) as well as Tala- Kangundo.

Sink wells

According to the plan unveiled Tuesday at an event graced by Prime Minister Raila Odinga, in the first phase of the plan, the government has proposed to sink wells in Kiunyu and Ruiru areas, which is expected to increase water supply by 64,800 cubic metres per day.

Other phases will see the construction of a tunnel diverting Irati, Gikigie and Maragua Rivers, while the third phase will see Maragua and Ndarugu dam built , amomg others.

Collectively, this is expected to increase water supply within the city by 654,048 cubic metres per day.

Mr Odinga said the entire cost of the project will total Sh160 billion on completion.

"Phase one and two of this project will cost Sh25 billion. The government has now embarked on bold steps to develop water sources that can meet the needs of the city and the satellite towns up to the year 2035," said Mr Odinga.

"The steps involve the development of water sources as associated infrastructure in four phases. The first phase is slated to start this December.”

The PM said the government was also embarking on a Sh4 billion sewerage expansion plan, which is expected to be completed by 2014.

“Such investments will ensure that our water security is not compromised by degradation of water resources, climate variability and climate change,” he said.

Water rationing

The city and its satellite towns face large water supply deficits, which have been magnified during the recent droughts. This has made supply unreliable leading to increased water rationing. As a result, consumers are forced to pay for water from vendors.

Mr Odinga said the drought that caused enormous losses to the country’s economy, could have been averted had Kenya kept pace with the development of water infrastructure, which had been planned 20 years ago.

Because of this failure, said the PM, the current water available only meets a mere 60 percent of demands of the city and its satellite towns.

Water minister Charity Ngilu praised the plan, saying it would improve access to water for the residents of Nairobi and its environs.

She said the Ministry was in consultations with the German Government with the aim of securing funds towards the upgrade of the water infrastructure in the country.

Also present during the event was France Ambassador to Kenya Etienne de Poncins.

Investments in water supply infrastructure have lagged since 1994.