By GPS
Nairobi residents living in informal settlements can now breathe a sigh of relief over perennial water shortages after the launch of Ward Based Water Projects.
The project aims at providing sustainable solution for water shortage in the city.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Wednesday officially launched the distribution of over 1,000 water tanks that have a capacity of 10,000 liters to all the 85 wards of Nairobi.
Sonko said that he is determined to ensure he fulfills his promise of ending the perennial water problems in the city as per his campaign manifesto.
“During the campaign period, I promised Nairobi residents that I will end the water problems, and I am determined to ensure I fulfill this promise,” said Sonko.
The Governor also promised that in the next financial year 2019/20, the Nairobi City County Government will drill three boreholes in each of Nairobi’s major slums of Kibera, Mathare, Mukuru Kwa Reuben, Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Fuata Nyayo, Mariguini , Korogocho among others.
At the same time, Sonko said he will tackle the problem of water diversion.
“I want to assure Nairobi residents in city estates which are still facing water problems that we are working with the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company to ensure that we end case of water diversion that have largely been blamed for water shortages in the city,” Sonko said.
County Director of Water Services Mario Kainga, has said the distribution of the water tanks will begin on Thursday in 71 Wards before the second phase kicks off in 14 other Wards to cover all the 85 Wards in Nairobi.
“The water tanks project will help to solve the perennial water problems in Nairobi’s informal settlements. Since assuming office, Sonko’s administration has allocated Sh5m to each of the 85 Wards for water fund, compared to Sh2m that was allocated to the same by the previous administration. In the next financial year, Sonko’s administration will increase the fund to Sh7m per Ward,” Kainga added.