The water crisis in Nairobi is worsening and is likely to persist for the next eight years

david nganga

February 23, 2018 4:07 PM

Brace yourselves Nairobians.

Water rationing in Nairobi is set to persist until 2026, the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company said on Thursday.

The company's acting managing director, Eng. Nahashon Muguna said the water crisis will go on for the next few years citing the low water levels at Nairobi's main water reservoir, Ndakaini Dam.

Mr Muguna noted that the company will be able to meet water demand of the over 4 million Nairobi residents upon the completion of the northern collector in Murang’a and two other major dams in Kiambu.

“The demand of water per year in Nairobi grows by 20,000 cubic meters, so the time we are going to bypass the demand of water is when these dams will be complete which according to the master plan...will be done by 2026. Thereafter we will be having enough water and surplus to take us up to 2035," Muguna said.

The drop in water levels, he said, have been attributed to the prolonged drought in Aberdare ranges, the catchment area.

Currently the demand of water in the city is higher than the supply which is 503,000 cubic meters against the demand of 706,000 cubic meters.

Muguna said the county was banking on the Northern Water collector tunnel project to boost the city with an additional 140,000 cubic litres as a short-term mitigation measure.

In addition the development of Karumenu 2 and Ruiru 2 dams which is expected to be complete by 2023 will bring 70,000 cubic meters of water to the city.

david nganga