When property boom drowns city in thirst

Houses in Pipeline Estate, Nairobi. Poor planning has been blamed for a myriad of problems.

When it rains, the water is supposed to seep into the ground and replenish aquifers. This is, however, nearly impossible when nearly every available space has been turned into a block of flats or paved parking lots and roads. Instead, this water is carried away by drainage systems and sewer pipes; or simply roars down the roads sweeping away everything in its way. Drowning hopes of an adequate water supply.

Sounds theoretical, lets look at the reality on the ground, so to speak. El-nino is here, the raging rains characterised with floods is now experienced in most parts of the country and Nairobi is no exceptional. Amidst the pouring rains, Nairobi continues to experience acute water shortage which experts now attribute to poorly planning in the construction industry.