Sh160b water plan for city dwellers in the pipeline

By FELIX OLICK

The Government has embarked on an ambitious plan to end the ever-biting water shortage within Nairobi and its environs.

The Ministry of Water, the World Bank and the French Development Agency have crafted a master plan that will see other sources of water developed to reduce the current shortage.

The Sh160 billion plan will also benefit a number of satellite towns within a radius of 70km from Nairobi including Kikuyu, Ruiru, Juja, Kiambu, Githunguri, Mavoko municipality and Ngong Township.

According to the plan unveiled yesterday at Kenyatta International Conference Centre and graced by Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the Government has proposed to sink wells in Kiunyu and Ruiru areas in the first phase of the project.

This is expected to increase water supply by 64,800 cubic millimetres per day.

The second phases will involve the construction of a tunnel diverting Irati, Gikigie and Maragua Rivers while the third phase will see the building of a number of dams including Maragua and Ndarugu.

Speaking during the event, Raila said that the entire initiative will cost about Sh160 billion.

“The steps involve the development of water sources and associated infrastructure in four phases. The first phase is slotted for December 2012. Phase one and two of this project are expected to cost Sh25 billion. The entire initiative will cost about Sh160 billion,” said the PM.

He noted that water is a human right under the new law and as a result the Government is keen to pump more money into the sector.

He said that such an investment will ensure that that the country’s water security is not compromised by degradation of water resources or climate change.

“We are aware that droughts have become cyclic. They need to be managed carefully and mitigated through systematic planning and development of resilient water infrastructure,” he noted.

Water Minister Charity Ngilu said that the Government has secured Sh15 billion from the World Bank and another Sh10 billion from French Development Agency for the implementation of phase one of the project.

She also noted that consultations are at an advanced stage with the Government of Germany to secure more funding for the project.

“The water supply master plan addresses the short, medium and long term development needs for the city and satellite towns and further defines a priority strategy to meet the 2017 water demand,” said the Water Minister.