Residents in several Nairobi estates are facing a major water shortage after a key pipeline burst disrupted supply across large parts of the city.
The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) announced that the incident occurred along the NCT–Kigoro–Gigiri–Kabete transmission line near Gigiri, forcing an immediate shutdown of water distribution to allow for emergency repairs.
The disruption has affected areas supplied by the Kabete Reservoirs, including Westlands, Lavington, Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Upperhill, Ngong Road, Madaraka, Nairobi West, Uthiru, Karen, Kibera, and Lang’ata, among others.
According to the water company, the burst caused a major interruption in the flow of water, leaving thousands of homes and businesses without supply. Repair teams from NCWSC and the Athi Water Works Development Agency were quickly deployed to fix the damaged section.
Officials have assured residents that efforts are underway to restore normal supply, with water expected to return once repairs are complete and pressure is stabilised.
In the meantime, residents have been advised to use available water carefully and prioritise essential needs. To ease the situation, water bowsers have been made available for emergency supply requests.
The incident comes amid ongoing heavy rains in Nairobi, which have already caused flooding and damaged infrastructure across the city, worsening the situation for many residents.
Overall, the pipeline burst has added to the challenges brought by the rainy season, highlighting the strain on Nairobi’s water infrastructure and the need for urgent repairs.