The Senate has directed the Kenyan government to renovate its offices across the country after lawmakers adopted a motion requiring all building plans to incorporate Intelligent Water Management Systems.
In the motion approved on Wednesday, July 26, the Senate directed the Ministry of Lands to undertake a systematic nationwide renovation of government-owned buildings to adopt technological systems such as rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling aimed at curbing water wastage.
Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga tabled the motion which may cause the cost of construction to rise as the government incorporates the new changes into the building code and standards.
Wamatinga, in his submissions on June 14, highlighted the growing scarcity of water resources and emphasised the urgent need to establish protective systems to safeguard them.
He observed that the construction of highrise buildings posed the most significant threat to water resources.
"Appreciating that the incorporation of water management systems in building plans include a variety of techniques and technologies such as rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling, low-flow plumbing, and sensor systems that detect leaks and (de)activate water flow when necessary, thereby optimising the use of water by eliminating water overexploitation, wastewater management, and pollution," Wamatinga explained.
The Lands Ministry will oversee the implementation of the new system alongside the Council of Governors and the National Environment Management Authority.
Data provided by Statista in November 2022 indicates that over 16,200 new private buildings were completed in Nairobi alone by December 2020, an increase from 10,300 in 2020.
The increased population and low water levels in the main catchment areas caused a severe water shortage in the capital city.
“We are experiencing a dry spell, in the near future, we may be forced to close operations with the hope that the levels at Tigoni Dam will rise because we cannot extract water anymore,” Managing Director of Limuru Water and Sewerage Company Margaret Maina confirmed.
It is estimated that 60 per cent of Nairobi residents lack a dependable source of water, a majority of whom have no running tap water.
Countrywide, the ongoing drought in the North Eastern region saw an estimated 5.4 million people in Kenya lack access to adequate water between March and June 2023, according to Relief Web, a humanitarian website.
