Nairobi residents are expected to get an additional 140 million litres of water in the next couple of weeks with the commissioning of the Northern Collector.

Governor Johnson Sakaja has said his administration has geared up plans to end the perennial water shortages in the country’s capital.

Speaking during the opening of a three-day innovate event at The University of Nairobi, Governor Sakaja said his administration has put forth plans to increase water supply to city residents.

Nairobi’s water demand currently stands at 900 million litres per day against a supply of 525 million litres per day.

“The first source of water (Kikuyu Spring) that produces about 6,000 cubic meters of water was developed between 1904-1910. The water infrastructures later developed Ruiru and Sasumwa dams that couldn’t supply adequate water for city residents. Ndakaini dam that gives Nairobians 84 per cent of water was developed, but that is not enough,” he said.

Sakaja said that the residents are expected to experience water shortages following the planned connection of Gigiri reservoir and Kigoro to tap an additional 140 million litres to the existing water distribution network reducing the deficit by almost half.

“Nairobi will receive 140 million litres of water daily from the Northern Collector Tunnel I.” He said.

The project consists of a tunnel, a treatment facility, and a pipeline linking the latter to Nairobi’s Gigiri reservoir.

Water will be channelled into the Ndaka-ini dam through the tunnel from the rivers Gikigie, Irati, and Mathioya. The French Development Agency funded the 11.8-kilometre tunnel.

“We have secured 100 million Euros for Nairobi through Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company to do the Northern Collector Tunnel II and Maragua IV,” Said Governor Sakaja.

The Northern Collector Tunnel I project will provide an additional 140 million litres per day to the existing water distribution network reducing the deficit by almost half.

The governor added that the residents who have been receiving clean water twice in a week will now be supplied four times a week. This is after the completion of Northern Collector Tunnel 1.

Sakaja challenged the young generation, especially those styled as Gen Zs and Millennials, to explore water distribution networks and create logistics that can easily detect water pipe blockages and wastages.

“I want to challenge young people that through innovative ideas, you can give us solutions on water distribution networks and logistics on noticing water wastage. That is a ready market for you, ” added Sakaja.

Water and Sanitation in Nairobi face problems common to many cities of the developing world which grow too fast.

The water supply is unable to meet fast-growing demand. Water is unreliable even to the small majority who have a direct connection to tapped water.