Taps are dry across large parts of eastern and northern Nairobi. Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company has shut off supply for 29 hours. The cut began at 3am on Thursday and is due to end at 8am on Friday, November 6. The company announced the outage in a public notice on Wednesday, November 4.
The shutdown allows the Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA) to carry out what the notice called "critical tie-in works" on the Karimenu Transmission Pipeline. Pulse Live Kenya reported that the work involves connecting new pipeline sections to the existing distribution network. The pipeline must be closed so the work can be done safely.
The notice lists three groups of affected areas. The first is Kasarani, Mwiki, Clay City, Ruai, Njiru and surrounding areas. The second is Roysambu, Zimmerman, Kahawa Barracks, Kenyatta University and nearby neighbourhoods. The third covers all of Kayole, Komarock, Soweto and Matopeni. Pulse Live Kenya put the total at 14 estates. It noted that Kenyatta University serves thousands of students and staff.
The utility told residents to store water before the shutdown and to use it sparingly. According to Pulse Live Kenya, customers should save water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene. The Eastleigh Voice reported that residents, businesses, schools and other institutions were advised to make alternative arrangements. Customers can reach Nairobi Water on its toll-free number, 0800 724 366.
"We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers and urge them to use available water sparingly as we work towards supply restoration," the company said. Nairobi Water said it needed the full 29 hours to finish the connections and restore normal pressure in the affected parts of the network.
Pulse Live Kenya linked the works to a wider dam water supply project. The project is expected to make supply more reliable in Nairobi and neighbouring areas. The Eastleigh Voice said the government continues to invest in bulk water infrastructure for the city.
This is not the first cut in recent weeks. Kenyans.co.ke reported that on October 26 the company announced a three-day shutdown after AWWDA closed the NCT-Kigoro-Gigiri-Kabete pipeline in an emergency. That outage ran from 11:59pm on October 26 to 11:59pm on October 29. It hit Westlands, Kilimani, Lavington, Karen, Upper Hill and other areas. Kenyatta National Hospital and Nairobi Hospital were also affected.