Gatanga: The government has operationalized the Sh4.5 billion Kigoro water treatment plant in Gatanga, Murang’a County. This strategic initiative is designed to supply water and tackle the persistent water shortages in the Nairobi Metropolitan region.
According to Kenya News Agency, the project was financed through a collaboration between the Agence Française de Dévelopement (AFD) and the Kenyan government. It forms a crucial part of the Northern Collector Tunnel system (NCT) and is projected to provide water to over 1.2 million residents across Murang’a, Kiambu, Nairobi, Machakos, and Kajiado counties.
Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eng Eric Mugaa stated that although the construction was completed months ago, the project had not been operational until now. He emphasized that the necessary infrastructure has been established for the water supply. Mugaa described the project as a model of innovation, equipped with a compact design, SCADA automation for efficient monitoring, and in-house
sodium hypochlorite production for disinfection, making it a symbol of efficiency and modernity in the region.
The water treatment plant is set to process 140 million liters of water daily and will be managed by the Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA). This initiative is anticipated to mitigate water shortages in the metropolitan region, which currently experiences a deficit of about one million liters per day. Mugaa remarked, “Water scarcity in urban areas remains a challenge due to the soaring population each year. In the metropolis, the demand is huge and there are big gaps. However, this project will go a long way in addressing the gaps. This project is part of the huge government agenda of coming up with water projects to address these demand gaps.”
The commissioning event was attended by Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, the French Minister of State for Francophonie and International Partnerships, who underscored the robust partnership between Kenya and France in the water and sanitation sector. Thani re
cognized the contributions of French companies like SUEZ and SOGEA, which have implemented innovative solutions to make the Kigoro Water Treatment Plant a regional benchmark.
AWWDA Chairman Mr. Charles Karondo praised the project as a significant milestone in Kenya’s water infrastructure history. Gatanga MP Edward Muriu expressed optimism that the project will stimulate economic growth in the area and improve the lives of constituents who have traditionally relied on river water.
