Dr. Julius Kipng’etich, Group CEO, Jubilee Holdings Ltd and former Director of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), has issued a stark warning about the impending water crisis facing Nairobi. Speaking candidly, he outlined the challenges posed by unsustainable water practices and called for urgent, innovative solutions to address the city’s growing water needs.
“Nairobi is sitting on a disaster when it comes to water,” Dr. Kipng’etich stated. “I know most of you drill boreholes. But we are just postponing a disaster.”
The Hidden Threat of Boreholes
Dr. Kipng’etich emphasized the unregulated drilling of boreholes as a key contributor to the crisis. He estimated that 90% of the boreholes in Nairobi are undocumented, raising concerns about the unchecked depletion of underground water reserves. “One day, you’ll just find the city sinking,” he warned. “We must rethink water in the city.”
An Over-reliance on Ndakaini Dam
Nairobi’s water supply largely depends on the Ndakaini Dam, which was completed in 1994. Dr. Kipng’etich explained that the dam was designed to meet the city’s needs for only 15 years. “It was supposed to last until another dam was built,” he said. “Now we are in 2024—30 years later—and a replacement dam doesn’t exist.”
The lack of alternative infrastructure has forced residents and businesses to rely on private solutions such as boreholes. However, this approach is not sustainable. “We are trying to create private solutions to public problems,” he remarked. “How far can you go with your private solutions? You have potholes, you get your four-wheel drive. I don’t care. You have no water, drill your borehole. I don’t care. My friends, that point of caring is coming soon.”
A Call for Ecosystem Services
Dr. Kipng’etich proposed a bold solution to the water crisis: paying for ecosystem services to ensure the sustainability of Nairobi’s water supply. He suggested compensating communities in areas like the Aberdare Ranges, Nyeri, Murang’a, Nyandarwa, and parts of Kiambu to incentivize the protection of critical water catchment areas.
“We must support the people who protect the Aberdares,” he urged. “My suggestion, when I was at KWS, was for each water bill in Nairobi to include a contribution of just 50 shillings. This would create an endowment fund to support educational and other facilities in these regions.”
Sustainable Thinking for the Long Term
Dr. Kipng’etich concluded with a plea for creative and sustainable thinking. “If we don’t do it, brothers and sisters, Nairobi is sitting on a time bomb when it comes to water,” he said. His remarks highlight the urgent need for collective action to secure the city’s future.
By addressing public challenges with collaborative, long-term strategies, Nairobi can avert the looming crisis and ensure a sustainable water supply for generations to come.
