Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company has announced water rationing for Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado and Machakos counties. In a notice issued on Monday, the utility said falling water levels at Thika/Ndakaini Dam had forced it to cut production at the Ngethu and Kigoro Water Treatment Plants by 35 percent with immediate effect, Kenyans.co.ke reported. The Star also reported that Nairobi and surrounding counties face extended rationing.
The dam supplies Nairobi and nearby areas, including Thika in Kiambu County. According to Kenyans.co.ke, its storage has dropped sharply because too little rain has fallen in the catchment. Nairobi gets most of its bulk water from the Aberdare Ranges and the Upper Tana River Basin. Both stretch across Murang'a, Nyandarua and Nyeri counties.
Lower inflows have forced the utility to draw less water for now. The aim is to protect reserves and keep supplies flowing over the coming months. Households and businesses should expect reduced or interrupted supply, because the available water cannot meet normal demand.
The rationing affects several water providers. In Kiambu, these are Kiambu Water, Githunguri Water and Karuri Water. Mavoko Water and Sewerage Company serves Machakos. Olkejuado and Oloolaiser Water and Sewerage Companies serve different parts of Kajiado County.
Nairobi Water asked customers to use water sparingly. It warned of longer waits before normal supply schedules return. The company said it is monitoring dam levels and weather conditions. It will review production volumes periodically, depending on available reserves.
The rationing comes even though the Kenya Meteorological Service Authority expects above-average rainfall in more than 80 percent of the country. That forecast covers the October-December short rains season. According to Kenyans.co.ke, the forecaster expects enhanced rainfall in 44 counties. It puts the chance that a very strong El Niño will last into early 2027 at 81 percent.