AWWDA Launches KES 206 Billion Strategic Plan to Transform Water and Sanitation in Nairobi and Surrounding Counties

The Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA) has unveiled its ambitious 2024–2029 Strategic Plan, setting in motion flagship water and sanitation projects designed to significantly improve access to clean water across Nairobi, Kiambu, Murang’a, and neighbouring regions.

The five-year plan, valued at KES 206 billion, will deliver a combined daily storage capacity of 461,000 cubic meters of water, expand water treatment capacity to 318,500 cubic meters per day, and construct more than 443 kilometres of transmission pipelines and 880 kilometres of sewer networks.

Key projects under the plan include the Thiririka Dam Water Supply Project, Maragua 4 Dam, Northern Collector Tunnel II, and the Nairobi Satellite Towns Water and Sanitation Improvement Project (NATWASIP). These initiatives aim to bridge the widening gap between water supply and demand, benefiting millions of Kenyans in both urban and peri-urban areas.

Speaking during the launch in Nairobi, Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Eng. Eric Murithi Mugaa, hailed the initiative as a major step towards Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

“These projects bring us closer to universal water and sanitation coverage by 2030. The socio-economic benefits—healthier families, thriving businesses, and stronger local economies—cannot be overstated,” he said.

AWWDA Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Joseph Kamau, underscored the transformative potential of the projects, noting that access to reliable water is a cornerstone of socio-economic progress.

“Water underpins health, education, agriculture, and enterprise. By securing long-term supply, we are not only improving daily lives but also creating opportunities for job creation, food security, industrial growth, and climate resilience,” Kamau said.

The event also marked the commissioning of bulk water operations through the Karimenu II Dam and Northern Collector Tunnel systems, now supplying over 217 million litres of treated water daily to Nairobi and its environs.

To ensure accountability, AWWDA signed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to oversee bulk water revenue collection.

Board Chairperson Ms. Mary Munga emphasized that good governance, robust oversight, and strong partnerships will be key in delivering the agency’s mission.

“The challenges of rapid urbanization, climate change, and limited resources demand bold responses. By embracing accountability, AWWDA is not just delivering infrastructure—it is delivering dignity, prosperity, and national cohesion through water,” she said.

The strategic plan will be financed through government allocations, development partners, public-private partnerships, and innovative funding avenues, including climate finance.