Nairobi residents are set to experience a significant improvement in their water supply following the completion of the Northern Water Collector Tunnel, which is bringing an additional 140 million litres of water daily into the city’s distribution system.

Governor Johnson Sakaja, during a recent tour of the Gigiri Reservoir and pumping station, assured residents that this influx will help alleviate the chronic water shortages that have plagued various parts of the city, particularly in Eastlands, Kabete, Lang’ata, and other underserved areas.

“We are committed to achieving water justice in Nairobi,” Governor Sakaja declared. “Residents who have been receiving water only once a week can now expect to see supply increase to two or even three times a week as the new system comes online.”

Governor Sakaja also emphasized the importance of water quality, highlighting that engineers from the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) are conducting rigorous tests every 30 minutes to ensure the water meets the highest safety and quality standards.

“Our goal is to reduce the reliance on borehole water, which often poses a risk of waterborne diseases,” he said, stressing the need for clean, safe, and reliable water for all Nairobians.

The Northern Water Collector Tunnel, which will soon supply 85% of Nairobi’s water needs, marks a critical step toward resolving the city’s water crisis. However, Governor Sakaja noted that the challenge of equitable distribution remains, with the city’s ongoing population growth necessitating careful management of water rationing.

“We have secured commitments from our partners in Southeast Asia, who have pledged over $100 million to support Nairobi’s water sector. With Nairobi’s population projected to reach 10 million by 2050, investment in robust water infrastructure is not just necessary but urgent,” the Governor stated.

In addition to the infrastructure improvements, Governor Sakaja praised the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company for their financial performance, having achieved a record collection of KSh 10.7 billion in water bill payments during the last fiscal year.

“This milestone is unprecedented, and we are now looking to implement more advanced technologies in water billing to further enhance our efficiency,” he added.

NWSC Managing Director Engineer Nahashon Muguna echoed the Governor’s optimism, confirming that the integration of the new water supply from the Northern Water Collector Tunnel is on track for completion by October.

“We are fully committed to ensuring that this project is ready within the next eight weeks, bringing much-needed relief to Nairobi’s residents,” Engineer Muguna affirmed.

The completion of this project is expected to be a game-changer for Nairobi, promising more reliable water supply and a move towards greater water equity in the city.