The government has announced plans to construct 57 dams in Kiambu and Murang’ in a bid to address the current water shortage in Nairobi that stands at 200M cubic liters per day.
The dams will collect storm-water which will be treated and supplied to the city which is currently experiencing water rationing.
According to the CS for Water and Sanitation Simon Chelugui, supply in Nairobi currently stands at 530m cubic liters against a demand of 780m cubic liters per day.
Chelugui noted that over-reliance of water supplied from rivers was the main cause of the current shortage in Nairobi and its environs.
“We have already sought donor support towards constructing the 57 dams whose work will be to solely collect storm waters for future use in Nairobi,” he said.
The CS was speaking when he officially opened the Kenya Water and Sanitation Network (KEWASNET) workshop in Sopa Lodge in Naivasha.
“The government requires Sh1.7T for universal water coverage in the country by 2030 but the only available funds are Sh592B,” he said.
He was, however, quick to note that the government had set Sh100B for water supply in Nairobi, Sh70B for Mombasa and Sh43B for Nakuru among other counties.
“As a ministry, we are, however, against plans to consolidate water companies as proposed by counties and the institutions should be allowed to operate independently,” he said.
On her part, the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry Winnie Guchu challenged water companies to service loans advanced to them by donors.
“We are keen to work with the counties so that water supply can be increased and this can be increased through good governance and improved services,” she said.
Others who addressed the meeting were Nakuru Deputy Governor Dr. Eric Korir, Environment Secretary Dr. Alice Kaudia among others.