Large parts of Nairobi are without piped water on Thursday after vandals damaged a major pipeline from the Kabete Water Treatment Plant. Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (Nairobi Water) shut down the Kabete Distribution Mains for emergency repairs. The shutdown began at 7pm on Wednesday and is set to end at 6pm on Thursday. The Eastleigh Voice put the disruption at 23 hours.
In its public notice, Nairobi Water said vandals had damaged one of the major pipelines from the plant. The damage occurred at Kianda School, off Waiyaki Way, the company said, according to The Star.
The list of affected areas is long. It covers Westlands, Riverside, Lavington, Waruku, Parklands, Kangemi, Mountain View and Thiongo Road. Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Upper Hill, Lower Hill, Madaraka, Nairobi West and South C are on it too. So are Lang'ata, Karen, Kibera and Mbagathi Ridge. Along the Ngong Road corridor, the cut hits Jamhuri, Woodley, Makina, Karanja Road, Joseph Kang'ethe Road, Amboseli, Hatheru, Chalbi and Kenya High. Tuko reported that more than 42 areas are affected.
Several hospitals and public institutions will go without water. They include Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, Forces Memorial Hospital, Mbagathi Hospital and the KEMRI flats. The notice further lists the Department of Defence, Uhuru Park, Lang'ata Women's Prison, the Dog Unit in Lang'ata and the National Housing Corporation. Jonathan Ngeno, Breeze, Chelsea Marina and Southlands complete the list.
Nairobi Water asked customers to use available water sparingly while repairs continue. The company apologised for the disruption and appealed for patience and understanding. It described the repairs as essential works to improve water supply services, according to The Star. The Eastleigh Voice reported that customers can reach the utility on its toll-free line, 0800 724 366.
The outage adds to existing supply problems in the capital. Pulse Live Kenya reported that Nairobi Water recently cut production at the Ngethu and Kigoro treatment plants by 35%. Water levels at Thika and Ndakaini dams are falling. The utility blamed below-average rainfall in the dams' catchment areas. It warned that customers could face longer rationing in the coming months.