Thousands of Nairobians have for a long time been withstanding dry taps and hence forced to buy water from vendors following massive deficit of the commodity's supply.
Endless queues have been the order of the day at the water points making a few very rich at the expense of struggling Nairobians.
However, the situation is set to change after City Hall announced that plans were underway to ensure a steady supply of water in the capital which has been hit with water shortage since April 2017.
Governor Mike Sonko noted that he had managed to convince Kiambu government to tap water to Nairobi in a partnership that involves the World Bank and the African Development Bank to help reduce the 250,000 cubic meters water deficit in the city.
Speaking at Utawala area during a monthly clean-up exercise that saw over 500 KDF soldiers from the Embakasi Barracks join him, the governor stated that water rationing would still continue but in a manner that will see everyone access water in the county.
"As rationing continues, we will ensure no homestead is left without supply of water. Our county water tankers together with the Sonko Rescue Team tankers will be in every ward in Nairobi to give water to residents who have no constant supply of the commodity,” Sonko remarked.
He went on to explain that the water will then be stored at a 14-million-litre tank in Embakasi Garrison Barracks which will act as a reservoir for onward distribution to residents across the county.
Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) admitted, through its acting managing director, engineer Nahashon Muguna, that the water firm can only produce a maximum of 526,000 cubic meters of water daily against a demand of 790,000 cubic meters.
Sonko acknowledged that water scarcity is a major problem in the capital and in order to cushion residents against constant shortage of water, his administration had given Athi Water and Nairobi Water companies Ksh50 million each to improve water supply within city estates.
The county government has also given Ksh7 million each to the 85 wards in the county for water management services.
Nairobi residents have been experiencing water rationing since April 2017 with some going without the essential commodity for weeks.
