Wa Iria: Why are taps in Nairobi dry while Ndakaini overflows?
Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria yesterday asked Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company and the Ministry of Water to come clean on the use of water from Ndakaini dam.
Wa Iria said he could not understand why most parts of Nairobi are not getting water despite the dam, which is in his county, having attained its full capacity.
“Something is not adding up because when the dam is low the taps are dry and now it is full the situation is the same,” he said. “We need clear answers on where the water is going. Do we have a leakage somewhere or what?”, he asked.
Speaking during a tour at the dam on, Wa Iria said it was unacceptable that residents of Murang’a were not allowed to use the water from the reservoir.
“Currently the dam is spilling and all the water is being discharged back to the river and it will go to waste yet the people around here do not have piped water,” he observed.
Dry season
He said only 30 per cent of the residents have access to clean water despite having the biggest water reservoir in the area.
“We should not allow all this water to go to waste whereas it can be reserved for use during the dry season,” he added.
Wa Iria and Water PS Joseph Wairagu have been at loggerheads over the Governor’s push to have Murang’a get a share of the Ndakaini water.
“The point of departure between me and Wairagu is that he has been adamant against allowing locals to benefit from this water,” he said.
The Governor also assured residents of their safety despite spillage from the dam.
“Experts have assured us that the dam is safe and there is no cause of alarm,” he said.
