Nairobi residents are set to experience significant water supply interruptions after the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Ltd. (NCWSC) announced a major disruption due to vandalism of the Sasumua Dam water treatment pipeline. The incident, which occurred on the night of August 27, 2024, near the Kanunga area close to Nazareth Hospital in Kiambu, has severely affected the pipeline that channels water to the Kabete Water Works.
In response, NCWSC engineers have swiftly moved to the site, initiating urgent repairs that are expected to take approximately 24 hours. Repairs commenced at 10:00 AM on August 28, 2024, with the water supply anticipated to be fully restored by 12:00 PM on August 29, 2024.
The Sasumua Dam pipeline, a crucial infrastructure commissioned in 1956, stretches 56 kilometers and supplies 61,000 cubic meters of water daily to the Kabete Reservoir. This pipeline is vital to Nairobi’s water distribution network, making its vandalism a significant setback for the city’s water supply.
To alleviate the impact on affected areas, particularly those west of Uhuru Highway, NCWSC is optimizing water distribution from Ngethu to Gigiri reservoirs. This strategic move aims to increase the flow of water from Gigiri to the Kabete Reservoir. Additionally, the company will deploy water tankers to supply critical public institutions such as schools and hospitals, ensuring they have access to water during this period.
The areas affected by this disruption include:
- Limuru Road and surrounding areas: Parklands, Ngara, Aga Khan Hospital, University of Nairobi – School of Law, City Park Area, Gigiri, United Nations – Gigiri, Muthaiga.
- Naivasha Road and Kikuyu Road areas: Kawangware, Riruta/Satellite, Uthiru, Ndwaru Road.
- James Gichuru Road, Lang’ata Road, and Waiyaki Way: Riverside, Westlands, Lavington, Kilimani, Kileleshwa.
- Estates along Lang’ata Road: Madaraka, Karen, Lang’ata, Kibra, parts of South C Estates.
NCWSC is appealing for patience from the public, urging residents to use the available water sparingly as efforts to restore normal service are underway. The company assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to minimize the disruption and restore water supply as swiftly as possible.
