Sakaja Announces Ngethu Water Treatment Plant as First Project Under Ruto–Nairobi Partnership

Sakaja Announces Ngethu Water Treatment Plant as First Project Under Ruto–Nairobi Partnership

Johnson Sakaja has announced the rehabilitation of the Ngethu Water Treatment Plant as the first flagship project under a landmark cooperation agreement between the national government and Nairobi City County Government.

The announcement follows the inaugural implementation committee meeting held on March 9, chaired by Governor Sakaja, marking the first operational step after the signing of the KSh 80 billion partnership framework between the county government and the administration of William Ruto on February 17.

County officials said the meeting set the groundwork for several major development initiatives aimed at transforming Nairobi’s infrastructure, public services and economic opportunities.

At the centre of the early rollout is the rehabilitation of the Ngethu Water Treatment Plant, a critical facility located in Gatundu North in Kiambu County, which supplies the majority of the capital’s drinking water.

Managed by the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company, the plant currently provides approximately 85 per cent of Nairobi’s potable water supply, making it one of the most important pieces of infrastructure supporting the city’s rapidly growing population.

The facility operates in three phases with a combined nominal capacity of 440,000 cubic metres of water per day. Phase I produces around 61,000 cubic metres daily, Phase II contributes 157,000 cubic metres, while Phase III delivers approximately 222,000 cubic metres each day.

Water at the plant undergoes several purification processes including screening, coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, sand filtration and final chlorination before being distributed by gravity through pipelines across the capital.

However, recent heavy rainfall experienced in early March caused operational disruptions at the facility. According to officials, debris accumulated at the Mwagu intake point, temporarily affecting water flow and treatment processes.

Technical teams have since been deployed to clear the blockage and restore full operations. At the same time, damaged distribution lines have resulted in temporary water shortages in several estates, including Buruburu, Dandora, and Eastleigh.

Authorities say rehabilitation works at the plant will also involve recycling improvements designed to increase production capacity by an additional 50 million litres of water per day, helping to address the city’s long-standing water shortages.

Beyond the water infrastructure project, the meeting also reviewed several other initiatives under the KSh 80 billion cooperation framework.

Among them is a KSh 3 billion sewer connectivity programme aimed at expanding access to sanitation services, particularly in informal settlements. The project is being supported by the World Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Officials say the programme will help connect thousands of households to improved sewer systems while reducing pollution and public health risks in densely populated areas.

The national and county governments also plan to invest KSh 8.7 billion in upgrading Nairobi’s road network under a Safe Streets programme designed to improve mobility and safety across the city.

The initiative will include maintenance and expansion of county roads, improved street lighting, and the development of non-motorised transport infrastructure, including pedestrian walkways and cycling lanes.

Authorities say these improvements are intended to ease traffic congestion, enhance road safety and create a more accessible urban environment.

In addition, the partnership framework includes plans to modernise market infrastructure across the city to support informal traders and small businesses, which form a significant part of Nairobi’s economy.

To ensure residents remain informed about the transformation programme, Governor Sakaja announced the launch of a public awareness initiative dubbed “Nairobi Rising.”

“As part of the implementation strategy, the government will roll out the ‘Nairobi Rising’ civic campaign, a city branding initiative designed to build public ownership of the transformation agenda,” Sakaja said.

“The campaign will deploy communication materials in English, Kiswahili and Sheng to ensure the message reaches a wider audience across Nairobi’s diverse communities,” he added.

The governor also revealed that a dedicated communications unit will be established to track the progress of the projects and provide regular updates to residents through public engagement forums.

City officials say the projects under the partnership are expected to significantly improve infrastructure, public services and economic activity in Nairobi, positioning the city for long-term growth and improved quality of life for its residents.

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Sakaja Announces Ngethu Water Treatment Plant as First Project Under Ruto–Nairobi Partnership