Nairobi bets on new dam projects to end water supply crises EDWIN MUTAI
Nairobi residents have been subjected to water rationing and irregular water supply since 2017. But this is set to change within the next five years under an elaborate plan being laid down by different agencies in the city. Athi Water Works Development Agency managing director Michael Thuita says the plan involves bringing online three new dams Kariminu II, Maragua IV and Ndarugo which will allow the water agencies to pump in an additional 320,000 cubic metres of water daily to the city in the short-term.
The projects will supplement water that will be pumped to the city via the completed Northern Water Collector Tunnel, which will supply 140,000 cubic metres daily. This will see a water supply deficit to the city, which currently stands at 350,000 cubic metres, plugged and a surplus left. With demand estimated to be increasing by 20,000 cubic metres every year, the deficit will be close to