This archive report was first published on 14 September 2019.
Water levels at Ndakaini dam dropped due to short rainfall last year and the beginning of this year, exacerbating Nairobi's perennial water shortage. However, a Sh6.5 billion project, the Northern Collector Tunnel, promises to ease this issue by increasing water levels at the dam and supplying an additional 140 million litres of water a day.
The project, which has been under construction since 2016, involves building an 11.8km tunnel with a 3.2 metre diameter that will collect 40% of floodwater from Maragua, Gikige, and Irati Rivers in Murang'a County for use in Nairobi. According to Athi Water Chief Executive Officer Michael Thuita, the project coordinator, the tunnel will connect three rivers in Murang'a and another five kilometres to the treatment works.
Once complete, the tunnel will supply water to various suburbs in Nairobi, including Embakasi, Karen, Ongata Rongai, Mavoko, and Kitengela. Water Cabinet Secretary Simon Chelugui stated that the project will significantly ease water shortage in Nairobi and that Gigiri will act as the nerve centre for water distribution in the city.
Chelugui also announced that the ministry, Nairobi County government, the African Development Bank, and the World Bank have a joint venture to put up a water pipeline from Kiambu to a 14-million litre tank at the Embakasi Garrison Barracks. The CS said the tunnel, piping, and pipeline should be completed by 2020.
Water is one of Nairobi's biggest problems, with many residents forced to rely on vendors. However, with the Northern Collector Tunnel project, residents may soon have access to a reliable water supply.
