Taps will run dry across large parts of Nairobi for 24 hours from Monday. The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company said the shutdown will run from 8am on Monday, November 9, to 8am on Tuesday, November 10, The Standard reported.
Engineers will install new pipe connections near Kianda School on Waiyaki Way. In a public notice, Nairobi Water said the work would make water supply more reliable.
The list of affected areas is long. It includes Westlands, Riverside, Parklands, Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Lavington, Upper Hill, Lower Hill and Madaraka. Kibera, Jamhuri, Woodley, Ngong Road, Uhuru Park, Dog Unit, Amboseli, Hatheru, Chalbi and Kenya High are on it too.
Several hospitals and public institutions will lose supply as well. They include Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, Forces Memorial Hospital, Mbagathi Hospital, KEMRI flats, the Department of Defence and Langata Women's Prison. The Standard noted that the cut could disrupt essential services where water is needed for sanitation and cleaning.
Nairobi Water told customers to store enough water for home and business needs before the cut starts. "Customers in the affected areas are advised to use the available water sparingly during this period," the company said. It apologised and asked for patience while its teams carry out the work.
Kisumu residents also face disruptions. The Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company announced a seven-day valve throttling trial on the Kajulu Main Line. It will run from 9am on Tuesday, November 10, to 6pm on Tuesday, November 17.
The trial will prepare the system for bulk meters, which the utility says will improve supply management. Customers should expect low pressure and possible temporary cuts throughout the period.