Residents across 14 Nairobi estates are bracing for a water outage starting Thursday, November 5, as essential tie-in works on the Karimenu Transmission Pipeline begin. The Nairobi City Water & Sewerage Company announced a temporary shutdown of the pipeline, which will last from 3:00 am on Thursday to 8:00 am on Friday, November 6. This shutdown is necessary to allow the Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA) to carry out scheduled connection works.
The water shortage will affect three clusters of neighbourhoods in Nairobi. The first cluster includes Kasarani, Mwiki, Clay City, Ruiru, Njiru, and surrounding areas. The second cluster comprises Roysambu, Zimmerman, Kahawa Barracks, Kenyatta University, and neighbouring areas. The third cluster includes Kayole, Komarock, Soweto, Matopeni, and their surrounding neighbourhoods. Institutions such as Kenyatta University, which serves thousands of students and staff, and Kahawa Barracks will also be affected.
Nairobi Water has urged households in the affected areas to store water and conserve usage during the outage. Residents have been advised to prioritize essential activities such as drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene during this period. The company has also encouraged residents to use their water sparingly to minimize the impact of the shortage.
The planned interruption is part of ongoing water infrastructure improvements linked to the broader Karimau II Dam water supply project. This project aims to improve the reliability of water supply in Nairobi and neighbouring areas. The 29-hour window is necessary to complete the connection works and restore normal pressure across the affected sections of the distribution network.
The shutdown will allow AWWDA to undertake tie-in works on the Karimenu Transmission Pipeline. This exercise involves connecting new pipeline sections to the existing distribution network, requiring a temporary shutdown to allow the work to be completed safely. Nairobi Water workers will be on site to oversee the operation and ensure a smooth restoration of water supply.
Water supply is expected to resume by 8:00 am on Friday, November 6, once the works are completed. Nairobi Water has apologized for the inconvenience caused and is working to restore normal water supply as soon as possible. The company has also advised residents to be prepared for the outage and to plan accordingly.
The water outage is a necessary measure to ensure the long-term reliability of water supply in Nairobi. The Karimau II Dam water supply project is a significant investment in the city's water infrastructure, and the tie-in works on the Karimenu Transmission Pipeline are a crucial part of this project. Residents are urged to cooperate with Nairobi Water during this period and to report any issues or concerns to the relevant authorities.
Key points
- The water outage will affect 14 Nairobi estates and institutions such as Kenyatta University and Kahawa Barracks.
- The outage is necessary for tie-in works on the Karimenu Transmission Pipeline, which will improve the reliability of water supply in Nairobi.
- Water supply is expected to resume by 8:00 am on Friday, November 6, once the works are completed.
