Nairobi, Kisumu Residents Face Water Disruptions as Emergency Repairs Begin

Nairobi, Kisumu residents face water disruptions as repair works begin
Residents in large parts of Nairobi and sections of Kisumu will face temporary water disruptions as utilities carry out emergency repairs and infrastructure upgrades on Friday, 11 September.

In Nairobi, the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) will shut down the Sasumua Water Treatment Plant from 6am on Friday until 8am on Saturday, 12 September. The 26-hour interruption will allow urgent repairs to the Sasumua-Kabete pipeline, a key part of the network supplying the capital.

The shutdown will affect a wide area, including residential neighbourhoods, diplomatic districts, estates, industrial zones and public institutions. In Westlands and Lavington, interruptions are expected around Riverside Drive, Chalbi Drive, Convent Drive, Gitanga Road, Kunde Road, Mbaazi, Masanduku, Leloghi Gardens, Ole Ndume Road, King'ara Road and Riara Road.

Kileleshwa will also experience reduced or interrupted supply, particularly around Kandara, Gichugu, Mazeras, Mbooni, Othaya, Kaputei, Laikipia and Tembere roads, as well as the Department of Defence (DoD) and St George's School areas. The University of Nairobi main campus, customers connected to the Mamlaka line and parts of Valley Road are also within the affected area.

In Kilimani and Hurlingham, the disruption will cover sections of Argwings Kodhek Road, Hurlingham Shopping Centre, Mtito Andei Road, Kindaruma Road, Rose Avenue, Lower George Padmore Road and Denis Pritt Road. Daystar University and Coptic Hospital are also affected. Upper Hill will experience interruptions in Matumbato, Kiambere and Masaba, along Mawenzi Road and parts of Hospital Road, Kenya Road and Elgon Road.

Kenyatta National Hospital and KEMRI Flats along Mbagathi Way are also within the affected network. The disruption extends to Dagoretti, Kawangware and Waithaka, including Sunset Estate, Sohill City Estates, Upper Kabiria, Mithonge, Kamwanya, parts of Kawangware and several roads around Waithaka. Uthiru, Mutuini and Gatina are also affected, including areas around Muchugia Road, Mutego and the Uthiru Muthua area.

Jamhuri, Kabarnet and the Kenyatta Market area, as well as parts of Kibera, will also face interruptions. The affected locations include Makina, Karanja Road, Fort Jesus, Olympic, Kianda, Gatwekera, Ayany, Mwembeni, Makongeni and Lindi. Areas around Kinoo Road and the Joseph Kang'ethe junction towards Togo Flats are also included.

In the western and southern parts of Nairobi, the shutdown will affect Langata, Nairobi West and Madaraka. Locations listed by NCWSC include Langata Barracks, Sunvalley, Royal Park, Dog Unit, KMA, St Mary's, Hima Gardens, Siwaka, Funguo Estate, Akila 2, Rangers Court, Leeban B and Nairobi West Shopping Centre.

Karen and surrounding areas will also be affected. These include parts of Bogani East Road, Muiri Lane, Forest Edge, Mukinduri, Muricho, Mukoma and Kisembe East, as well as areas around Magadi Road, Ndorobo Road, Kikeni Road, Ndovu Road, Kifaru Road, Tandara Road and Mutamaiyo. The affected network also extends towards the Giraffe Centre, Hardy, Simba Hill, Silanga Road, Comboni and Mbagathi Ridge.

The disruption will also affect the Central Business District, Industrial Area, South B, South C and the airport corridor. Key locations include Mater Hospital, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the Standard Gauge Railway, the Athi River Export Processing Zone, Imara Daima, Mukuru, Embakasi Village, Tassia Estate and industrial premises along the affected supply corridors.

Northern Nairobi will also experience interruptions in Ngara, Forest Road, Desai Road, Kipande Road, Limuru Road, Muranga Road and Park Road. The disruption extends to Gigiri and the diplomatic zone, including areas around Village Market, UNEP and the US Embassy.

In Eastlands, affected areas include Eastleigh, Maringo, Buruburu Phases 3 and 4, Gikomba, Pumwani, Majengo, Shauri Moyo, Jericho, Jerusalem and Kimathi. Mathare, Huruma and parts of the Outer Ring corridor are also included. Other affected locations include Mathare North, GSU, Rafiki, Utalii College, Juja Road, Mlango Kubwa, Kosovo, Ngumba, Thome, Survey, Safari Park Hotel, Kenya Breweries and sections of Baba Dogo. The whole of Industrial Area is also expected to experience the interruption.

NCWSC has advised customers in the affected areas to store enough water before the shutdown and ration their supplies during the works. The advice applies particularly to households, businesses and institutions such as hospitals, universities, transport facilities and industrial premises within the affected network. The company said the repairs are necessary and that it will work to restore supplies as soon as the work can be completed safely.

In Kisumu, the Kisumu Water and Sanitation Company (KIWASCO) has scheduled a separate 12-hour interruption on Friday, 11 September, from 8am to 8pm.
The works will involve constructing meter chambers and trial pits, as well as installing valves and meters. The measures are intended to improve the performance and management of the city's water network.

The affected Kisumu neighbourhoods include Milimani, Nyamasaria, Nyalenda A and B, the Central Business District and Dunga Estate. KIWASCO said the works are necessary to strengthen the water system and improve its reliability and operational efficiency.

Residents and businesses in both cities have been advised to make arrangements for the interruptions by storing water before the works begin. The planned shutdowns are part of ongoing maintenance and upgrades to urban water infrastructure.