Nairobi Hit by 24-Hour Water Outage as Major Pump System Breaks Down: "We Regret Inconvenience"
- Nairobi Water boss Nahason Muguna confirmed that a major pump failure at Kabete Water Treatment Works damaged six motors, cutting supply to several estates
- NCWSC said water splashed onto critical electrical components after a butterfly pump failed on May 4, paralysing operations at the facility
- Technicians have been working nonstop, and NCWSC assured residents that water would return by 9:00pm on Wednesday, May 7, after repairs are completed
- A Kawangware resident said the outage had disrupted her work, adding she found no water when she arrived to wash clothes for clients
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Nairobi - Thousands of Nairobi residents have been left without water on Wednesday, May 7, following a major mechanical breakdown at the Kabete Water Treatment Works.
Source: Twitter
In a statement, Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) Managing Director Nahason Muguna issued a public notice confirming that six pump motors and their electrical control panels at the Kabete pumping station were damaged, forcing the company to cut off water to several city estates.
NCWSC explained that the damage occurred after a butterfly pump at the facility failed on Sunday, May 4.
The malfunction caused water to splash onto critical components, rendering the motors and electrical control systems inoperative.
Technicians were dispatched to the site immediately and have been working around the clock to restore functionality.
"The damage was orchestrated by the failure of a butterfly pump at the Kabete Water Treatment Works on 4th May 2025, splashing water onto the pump motors and control panels, resulting in the damage.
The Technical team spent the better part of yesterday, 6th May 2025, repairing the pipeline and which is currently ongoing. The repair of the motors will be completed later today, 7th May 2025, at 9.00pm," read the statement in part.
Which Nairobi areas have been hit by an outage
Areas affected by the outage include estates along Naivasha Road, Kawangware, Gatina, Kabiro, Riruta Satellite, Dagoretti Corner, the whole of Ngando, Kangemi, Mountain View, Karen, and Ongata Rongai.
Source: Getty Images
NCWSC assured residents that the water supply would resume later in the day once the pump repairs were finalised.
"Water supply to the affected areas will resume tonight. We regret any inconvenience caused to our customers," NCWSC apologised.
The disruption has thrown households and businesses into disarray, with many scrambling to find alternative sources of water.
"I came to wash clothes for clients this morning only to find there’s no water. Now I have to wait," a mama fua from Kawangware told TUKO.co.ke.
Nairobi residents lament water shortage
Elsewhere, residents of Boma Yangu affordable housing in Park Road Estate, Ngara, expressed frustration over worsening living conditions since moving in.
Despite paying a monthly maintenance fee of KSh 3,000, they face persistent water shortages, poor sanitation, mismanagement, estate neglect, and increasing insecurity.
A severe water shortage forces residents to buy water at high prices, with a 20-litre jerrycan costing up to KSh 150, especially for those on higher floors.
One resident lamented that transporting water upstairs incurs an additional KSh 100 fee, as using lifts for this purpose is prohibited.
Another questioned the allocation of the service charge fees, estimating that the estate collects approximately KSh 4.1 million monthly, yet essential services like water supply and lift maintenance remain inadequate.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
