The 'city in the sun' losses its coolness as dry spell takes its toll

Dry taps, water rationing and even skipping showers that is what Nairobi residents will have to endure for the unforeseeable future until the ongoing dry spell ends.

Kenya’s capital depends on the Ndakaini dam for over 85 per cent of its water needs however the ongoing dry spell has taken a toll on water levels at dam significantly reducing water supply to Nairobi.

The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCSWC) said the water volume at the dam has dropped to 29.3 per cent.

“With the ongoing dry spell, the catchment of Thika Dam has been receiving below average rainfall during the current short rains period. The recharge of the rivers has been poor and currently the flows are below normal,” read a statement the NCSWSC manager for corporate affairs Mbaruku Vyakweli.

Through a statement, the company warned that it will have to ration available water in the reservoirs in order to sustain supply to the city until the situation improves.

The County government began water rationing early this year and the situation has been getting worse since forcing majority of Nairobi residents to dig deeper into their pockets in order to stay hydrated.

Water vendors who charge between sh20 and sh50 per jerrican are now a common sight in many estates in the city selling the precious commodity.

Amid the acute water shortage, the city is also battling with a cholera outbreak that has been connected to the deteriorating hygiene practices caused by scarcity of the resource.

“We reassure all the city residents and consumers that every effort to ensure reasonable supply of water is put in place despite the challenges,” said Mr. Vyakweli.