The Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company has warned that several parts of the city, including the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta National Hospital, and Westlands, could experience a water shortage because of a technical problem.
In a notice issued on Saturday, August 17, Managing Director Nahashon Muguna explained that other areas likely to be affected include Lang’ata, Kibera, Kilimani, Lavington, Parklands, Riverside, and Kileleshwa.
Estates along Ngong Road, Lang’ata Road, and Raila Odinga Road, such as Madaraka, Nyayo Highrise, Nairobi West, and even The Nairobi Hospital, will also be hit by the disruption.
The shortage is linked to technical issues along the Kabete–Kibera–Lang’ata water supply pipeline.
Company’s Response
The utility firm has urged residents in the affected estates to use their stored water carefully as repair work continues.
While the company did not give a clear timeline on when supply will resume, Muguna said technical staff are working around the clock to fix the issue.
In the meantime, Nairobi Water has dispatched water tankers to supply affected households with free water for domestic use.
City’s Growing Demand
Nairobi, with a population of approximately five million people, requires nearly 900 million litres of water daily.
Earlier this year, President William Ruto announced that the government would boost supply through the Northern Water Collector Tunnel. This 11.8 km system channels 40 percent of floodwaters from the Irati, Gikigie, and Maragua rivers into the Ndakaini Dam.
Speaking in Kawangware on March 12, Ruto said the project will be key in solving the recurring Nairobi water shortage, assuring residents that the tunnel will add 140 billion litres of water to the city’s supply.
