Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has announced plans to rehabilitate the Ngethu Water Treatment Plant, marking the first major project under the historic Sh80 billion cooperation agreement between the Nairobi City County government and the national government.
The decision followed a meeting held on March 9, where Sakaja chaired the first implementation committee session bringing together officials from both levels of government. The meeting marked the first concrete step toward executing the agreement since it was signed on February 17.
Located in Gatundu North, Kiambu County, the Ngethu Water Treatment Plant provides about 85% of Nairobi’s drinking water, making it the most critical facility in the city’s water supply system. The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) manages the plant.
The facility operates in three phases and produces a combined 440,000 cubic meters of treated water daily.
- Phase I produces 61,000 cubic meters per day
- Phase II adds 157,000 cubic meters
- Phase III, the largest, generates 222,000 cubic meters daily
At the plant, engineers treat raw water through several stages, including screening, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and sand filtration. After the treatment process, technicians add chlorine, and gravity channels the purified water through Nairobi’s distribution network.
Recent heavy rains have already disrupted operations at the key facility. Debris accumulated at the Mwagu Intake, interfering with the plant’s normal water flow. Technical teams are currently working to clear the blockage, but the damage has already affected supply lines.
The disruption has cut off water to at least 15 Nairobi estates, including Buruburu, Dandora, and Eastleigh, leaving thousands of residents without reliable access to water.
New Recycling Works to Increase Water Supply
As part of the broader cooperation agreement, authorities plan to increase Ngethu’s output by introducing new recycling works at the plant.
The upgrade aims to generate an additional 50 million liters of water per day, a move expected to strengthen Nairobi’s water security and meet rising demand in the rapidly growing capital.
Sewer Expansion Targets Informal Settlements
During the meeting, officials also reviewed a Sh3 billion sewer expansion project designed to connect more households in informal settlements to Nairobi’s sewer network.
The project will receive financial support from the World Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Authorities hope the investment will improve sanitation and reduce environmental risks in densely populated areas.
Sh10 Billion Safe Streets Initiative
Transport and urban infrastructure also featured prominently in the discussions.
Under a Sh10 billion program, the national and county governments will upgrade Nairobi’s road network, repair street lighting, and improve mobility across the city.
The initiative, known as the “Safe Streets” program, will maintain county roads while expanding pedestrian walkways and cycling paths to make the capital safer and more accessible for residents.
The cooperation framework also includes plans to construct modern markets for informal traders across Nairobi.
By providing improved facilities, the government aims to strengthen small businesses, which form the backbone of the city’s economy and provide livelihoods for thousands of residents.
‘Nairobi Rising’ Campaign to Engage Residents
To keep residents informed about the transformation agenda, Sakaja also announced the launch of the “Nairobi Rising” civic campaign.
The initiative will promote public participation and ensure residents understand the ongoing development projects across the city.
“As part of the implementation strategy, the government will roll out the “Nairobi Rising” civic campaign, a city branding initiative designed to build public ownership of the transformation agenda. The campaign will deploy communication materials in English, Kiswahili and Sheng to ensure the message reaches a wider audience across Nairobi’s diverse communities,” stated Sakaja.
Officials say a dedicated communications team will track project progress and organize public forums where residents can follow developments and share feedback as the city rolls out the ambitious Sh80 billion transformation plan.
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