Residents of Nanyuki Town and its environs in Laikipia County are set to benefit from improved water supply following the completion of a major water intake project in the Mt Kenya forest.
The project is expected to significantly ease the long-standing water rationing crisis that has affected households, schools and businesses in the rapidly growing town for years.
The newly completed intake is projected to add six million litres of water daily, helping bridge the existing supply deficit and ensuring more reliable access to clean water for residents.
For many families, the rationing had disrupted normal life, with schools among the most affected institutions as learners were often forced to spend time searching for water instead of attending lessons.
Parents had raised concerns that the persistent shortages were negatively affecting academic performance and exposing children to health risks.
Some parents feared that prolonged interruptions in learning could compromise education standards in the area if a lasting solution was not found.
“We have suffered for a long time because children spend hours looking for water instead of concentrating on their studies,” said one parent during the launch ceremony. “At times they even go to school late because there is no water at home.”
Parents also expressed fears of disease outbreaks linked to poor hygiene practices caused by the rationing.
“Some children are forced to eat food without washing their hands because there is simply no water available. That is dangerous, especially in schools,” another parent noted.
Education stakeholders welcomed the project, saying schools within Nanyuki and neighbouring areas stand to benefit immensely once the water supply stabilises.
They appealed for speedy completion of the remaining phases to ensure learning institutions enjoy uninterrupted access to clean water.
The Sh48 million project was constructed over the last year through a bank loan facility advanced to the Nanyuki Water and Sewerage Company (NAWASCO).
The project is expected to eliminate the water deficit of four million litres that has strained the supply in the area.
Speaking during the launch of piping works for Phase III of the project, Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu said the rapid population growth in Nanyuki had exerted pressure on outdated water infrastructure, forcing authorities to introduce weekly rationing schedules.
“We want to ensure there is a 24/7 water supply in Nanyuki town. Residents have been getting water three times a week and in some areas twice. Those with storey buildings had challenges in getting water,” said Irungu.
The governor noted that the new infrastructure would not only benefit residents of Nanyuki but also neighbouring counties that depend on the same water system.
According to Irungu, the Nanyuki Bulk Water Common Intake project will support an uninterrupted water supply in parts of Nyeri and Meru counties for the next two decades.
He further disclosed that the county government plans to extend water piping services to additional areas surrounding the town to accommodate the growing population.
“We want to extend the water services to the adjacent areas of Nanyuki town. We are quantifying the amount of water they will require,” he added.
Apart from improving water supply, the project also includes the expansion and rehabilitation of sewer infrastructure to enhance sanitation and environmental management.
The initiative involves the construction of pumping stations and the establishment of a modern wastewater treatment plant aimed at improving service delivery and reducing pollution.
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Officials said the new intake has the capacity to increase water supply from 6,000 to 15,000 cubic metres per day, a move expected to transform water access in the region and support economic growth.
Residents expressed optimism that the completion of the project would finally mark the end of chronic water shortages that have plagued the area for years.
By Kimutai Langat
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