The government is undertaking a huge project in Nairobi and Kiambu Counties to boost the supply of water in the two counties.
The initiative dubbed, Nairobi city water distribution network modification project, whose cost is over Sh.3.5 billion
involves the construction of the Eastern transmission (Kiambu-Embakasi) pipeline and the Western transmission (Kabete-Uthiru-Karen) pipeline.
Senior Eng. Joshua Ichang’i from Athi Water Services Board said the works of Kiambu- Embakasi Pipeline which covers 24 kilometres of pipeline and 14, 000 M concrete water storage tank at Embakasi will consume Sh.2,011,589,563.52 while the Kabete-Uthiru-Karen pipeline which covers 14.25 kilometres of pipeline and 5,000m3 reinforced concrete water storage tank in Uthiru is will cost Sh.1,085,146,194.90 respectively.
He said the piping of the Kiambu- Embakasi is 76 percent complete with 18.22 kilometres done, Embakasi water storage tank is 77 percent complete, Kabete- Uthiru – Karen is 60 percent complete with 9.65 work done while the reinforced concrete works of the Uthiru concrete water storage tank is 96 percent complete.
Eng. Ichang’i made the remarks during the Nairobi County Development Implementation Coordination Committee (CDICC) meeting chaired by the Nairobi County Commissioner (CC), Flora Mworoa at the County Commissioner’s Boardroom, Nyayo House, attended by the committee’s Secretary, Kinoti Gatobu from Presidential Delivery Unit.
Briefing members on the progress of the on-going works, Eng. Ichang’i said the Eastern transmission booster will serve parts of Dandora, Kayole, and Embakasi.
“The booster will have surplus water flowing to the upper region, whose effect will be massive,” he added.
However, he cited the relocation of power lines, compensation issues by a land owner whose land is affected by the laying pipelines, a disputed section in Loresho estate where residents have denied the contractor access the river riparian land, where the project pipeline is supposed to pass and relocation of people who have settled in areas where pipelines are to be placed as some of the challenges delaying the completion of the project.
“Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) wrote a letter giving Athi Water the permission to use the riparian land in passing its pipeline but the project contractor is unable to proceed with works because residents threatened violence on him,” said Eng. Ichang’i.
The committee members assured that the contractor will be provided with security to continue with the works.
The Eastern transmission commenced in December 2016 and was expected to end in December 2018 but was extended to October 2019, while Western transmission started in June 2017 and is expected to be complete in June this year.
Athi Water Services Board official, Eng. Joseph Kamau, giving his presentation on the status of the two projects
undertaken by the Athi Water Services Board and Contractor Zhongmei Engineering Group said the works also includes the upgrading of Kabete-Uthiru pumping system at Kabete pumping station from 30,000 m3 per day to 72,000m3 per day.
“Construction works of a 500m3 water storage tank and pumping station at Kenya High School is ongoing and is 20 per cent complete,” he added.
At the same time, he announced that the government has also embarked on the extension works of water and sewerage services in peri-urban and informal settlements, a project that will cost Sh.431, 020,668.62.
The areas that have benefited from the project are Korogocho, Gitari Marigo, Ngando, Kawangware and Kangemi.
He said sewer works at Kangemi and Ngando are complete, Ngando water supply is 91 percent complete, while Gitari Marigo and Kawangware water supply are at 76 and 72 percent complete.
The Contractor of the water extension works and sewerage services, project Nanchang Foreign Engineering Company Limited, commenced the works in November 2017 and is expected to complete in May this year.
By Bernadette Khaduli
