Nakuru:Residents of Nakuru are set to benefit from improved access to clean water and enhanced sanitation services following the commencement of a multi-billion upgrade and expansion of the water and sewage system. This project, which faced a five-year delay, is expected to significantly enhance local infrastructure.
According to Kenya News Agency, Governor Susan Kihika has announced that the project, known as the ‘Lake Nakuru Biodiversity Conservation Project’, is funded by a Sh 5.6 billion grant from the German Development Bank. A major component of this initiative is the decommissioning of the 66-year-old Kaloleni Waste Water Treatment Plant. The waste will be redirected to the upgraded Njoro Treatment Works, which has the capacity to process 20,000 cubic meters of waste per day.
Governor Kihika highlighted that the project had been delayed since 2021 but progressed after consultations with state agencies and development partners. The project’s first phase brings together contractors, project management teams, and government agencies. Key partners include the German Development Bank, the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Central Rift Water Works Development Agency, the County Government of Nakuru, Kenya Wildlife Service, and Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company.
The project will expand the water supply network and upgrade the existing sewerage system, focusing on preventing untreated water from flowing into Lake Nakuru. This is crucial for protecting the delicate ecosystem and biodiversity of the lake. The initiative will increase water supply through new boreholes, rehabilitate water reticulation systems, and construct water reservoirs.
The five-year project, implemented by the Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Agency in partnership with the Nakuru County Government, also includes the rehabilitation and expansion of the sewer network to handle more wastewater. Governor Kihika explained that the project would relieve residents from relying on alternative waste disposal methods, such as septic tanks, by upgrading treatment plants in Kivumbini and Mwariki.
Only a few areas in Nakuru currently have access to sewerage services, with many estates relying on septic tanks and facing regular leakages and overloading issues. The upgrade aims to alleviate these problems by expanding the sewerage system to cover more areas, including Nakuru East, Nakuru West, and other parts of the city.
In May, Julius Korir, the Principal Secretary for Water and Sanitation, noted that the investment would bolster water supply reliability as urbanization increases demand. The project includes constructing a new Njoro treatment facility, rehabilitating 65 kilometers of sewer network, and adding 12 new boreholes, among other improvements.
The United Nations’ 2025 Sustainable Development Goals Report indicated that only 56 per cent of domestic wastewater globally is safely treated, highlighting the importance of effective wastewater management in achieving clean water and sanitation goals. Nakuru’s project aims to address these challenges and improve the city’s sanitation infrastructure.
