Relief as Nairobi Water finally connects Mukuru to sewer line
Mukuru Kwa Reuben residents walk past raw sewer in this picture taken on June 2, 2024.
The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) is connecting informal settlements to the sewerage system in a bid to eliminate the flow of raw sewage, unattended sewer lines, and sanitation-related diseases in the slums.
According to the company’s Acting Managing Director, Martin Nang’ole, the simplified sewer system aims to improve sanitation across informal areas in the city.
Speaking to Nation, Mr Nang’ole said the company has so far connected 200 households in Mukuru kwa Reuben, benefiting more than 80,000 residents.
“We have laid about 3.9 kilometres of sewer line in Mukuru kwa Reuben and connected 200 households. This has greatly improved sanitation in the area, and we are in the process of extending the system to other locations,” said Mr Nang’ole.
A resident of Mukuru Kwa Reuben walks past heaps of garbage on February 16, 2025.
He added that not a single case of cholera has been reported in the connected areas over the past two years - a positive outcome he attributes to the new system.
The project is being implemented in partnership with Water and Sanitation for Urban Populations (WSUP) and the Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA).
Mr Nang’ole said that compared to traditional sewer lines, the modern system is cheaper, quicker to install, and uses flexible pipes laid at shallower depths.
“It is not complicated. We dig about one metre deep, which makes it cheaper. So far, we have spent about Sh5 million, and the entire project is expected to cost between Sh40 million and Sh50 million once completed,” he said.
Over the next two years, the company plans to connect at least 2,000 households to the system while also improving residents’ access to clean water.
He said NCWSC intends to expand the project to other informal settlements, including Mathare, Kibera, Kawangware, and Korogocho - some of the city’s largest areas struggling with poor sanitation.
The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Limited.
Mr Nang’ole added that the company is achieving two objectives simultaneously by also installing water dispensers in the connected areas, giving residents access to clean water at their doorsteps.
He acknowledged the challenge of water cartels that have been exploiting residents by selling water at inflated prices.
“Cartels in informal areas sell water at around Sh20 or more. We are addressing this issue and have now installed 13 water dispensers, where residents can access water using tokens,” said Mr Nang’ole.
He also noted that local residents are being engaged as labourers, and that most of the materials used in the project are sourced locally.
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