NAIROBI, Kenya, June 19 – Residents of Nairobi, Kiambu, and Muranga have welcomed the licensing of Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA) as bulk water operator for the Northern Collector Tunnel (NCT).
This was agreed upon during a consultation held at a Nairobi hotel.
As per the Water Act of 2016, the Water Regulatory Board (WASREB) conducted the exercise to get public views on licensing applications and tariff pricing suggestions.
The project will serve five Water Service Providers (WSPs) in Gatanga, Kiambu, Runda, Two Rivers, and Nairobi.
Upon completion, it will supply an additional 140 million liters of water per day to more than 1.2 million Nairobi residents and surrounding areas.
Nairobi’s current water demand is 810 million liters per day, compared to a supply of 550 million liters per day, resulting in a 260 million litre shortfall.
WASREB Board Chairman Charles Karondo and acting CEO Joseph Kamau tabled a proposal, stressing that if issued the bulk water license, Athi Water Works will be able to repay the loans taken by the government to develop the infrastructure.
“The system, which will provide 140 million litres of clean water to Nairobi and parts of Muranga will help alleviate the water demand as we work towards developing adequate infrastructure to meet the rising demands,” said Principal Secretary State Department for Water and Sanitation representative Stephen Kihara, Secretary Administration.
The NCT entails the construction of an 11.8-kilometer raw water transfer tunnel along the eastern fringes of the Aberdare Conservation Area (ACA) to divert flows from the Maragua, Gikigie, and Irati rivers into the existing Thika dam (Ndakaini).
It will then undergo water treatment at the Kigoro water treatment plant and subsequent transmission through a DN 1400/1200mm diameter pipeline to Gigiri reservoirs.
The NCT Phase 1 was supported by the Government of Kenya, the World Bank, and the French Development Agency (AFD) and implemented by the AWWDA.
Muturi James, a youth representative of Kigumo Youth Organization, voiced his support for the Athi Water Works Development Agency to be licensed, arguing that the Nairobi City Water and Sanitation Company has failed to properly execute its mandate in managing water resources in its jurisdiction.
