The government of Kenya has launched the Kigoro Water Treatment Plant in Murang’a County with an aim of addressing water shortages in the region.
With a total cost of approximately US $35M, this project is a critical part of the 4th Nairobi Water Supply Projects, aimed at providing clean water to over 1.2 million people across Murang’a, Kiambu, Nairobi, Machakos, and Kajiado counties.
The plant features a compact design and SCADA automation, enabling real-time monitoring. It incorporates in-house sodium hypochlorite production for efficient water disinfection. Funded jointly by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Kenyan Government, the plant will treat 140 million litres of water daily.
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The development aims to bridge the one-million-litre daily water deficit in the region and supports the growing water demand due to urban population increases. It is also expected to improve livelihoods by reducing dependency on river water and further promote sustainable urban development by modernizing water infrastructure.
Cabinet Secretary Eng. Eric Mugaa emphasized the importance of large-scale water initiatives to address urban demand gaps.
“Water scarcity in urban areas remains a challenge due to the soaring population each year. In the metropolis, the demand is huge and there are big gaps. This project is part of the huge government agenda of coming up with water projects to address these demand gaps,” said Eng. Eric Mugaa.
AWWDA Chairman Charles Karondo celebrated the plant as a landmark achievement in Kenya’s water infrastructure. Gatanga MP Edward Muriu also highlighted its economic development potential for local communities.
France’s Minister of State for Francophonie and International Partnerships, Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, commended the Kenya-France collaboration in the water sector, showcasing the plant as an example of innovation and bilateral partnership.