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Nairobi residents will start getting normal supply of water on June 7, the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company announced yesterday. 

At a media briefing, the company’s managing director Kenneth Muguna said the rationing has been occasioned by a myriad of challenges, but promised that normalcy will return soon.

“Water rationing is nothing new as it has been there since 2009 but the difference is that this time round, the company is determined to ensure it is minimal for the shortest term possible,” he said.

Muguna said the shortage is due to the damage on Sasumua Dam following a landslide that occurred in Kieni Forest damaging a section of the main pipeline supplying water to Nairobi.

He said the dam is not the only water system that is affected by the ongoing heavy rains as the supply of water from Ngethu Water Treatment has also been affected by the high turbidity and the blockage of intake along River Chania.

 “There should be no cause for alarm as the company is steadfast in ensuring that there is water for all.

As a stop gap measure, the company is having water tankers distribute water in most of the affected areas in Kilimani,” said Muguna.

Areas to be affected include along Waiyaki Way and Naivasha Road, and in Kangemi, Lavington, Westlands, Parklands, MP Shah Hospital, Agha Khan Hospital, Upper Hill, Kilimani, Nairobi Hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital as well as Community.

Muguna said the management had mitigated against calamities brought about by landslides in some of the catchment areas and assured residents of a steady flow of water at least by June 31.

At the same time, the company board of directors confirmed the appointment of Muguna as CEO having been serving in an acting capacity since 2017.

The board chair Beryl Okumu said after grilling Muguna for the last three months, the board found him as the best person to lead the company.

“We decided to settle on Muguna since he has all it takes to lead this company.

Muguna has proved to be a good leader and we know that he will be now at a good position to fight cartels,” she said.

“I thank the board for having confidence in me. I have served in the position in an acting capacity and thus know the problems and especially those touching on rationing.

I believe I’m up to the task of fixing things in the service delivery,” said Muguna.

As the acting CEO, Muguna has been facing a rough time with water agencies like NEMA where he was accused of collaborating with unscrupulous traders who have been discharging untreated sewage into the Nairobi River.