Friday 9th August 2024. Gatanga, Muranga County.

For many years, residents of Gatanga Constituency in Murang’a County faced the harsh reality of water scarcity, despite living in the shadow of the Ndakaini Dam—one of Kenya’s largest water reservoirs.

The dam, which primarily supplies water to Nairobi, had long been a symbol of frustration for the local community, who had limited access to the precious resource flowing just beyond their reach. But today, that story has taken a remarkable turn.

Leading the charge was His Excellency the President William Ruto who commissioned the Ndakaini Dam – Gatanga Community Water Supply Project which will provide clean water to over 50,000 residents of Gatanga.

The Ndakaini Dam – Gatanga Community Water Supply Project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation through the Athi Water Works Development Agency (AWWDA), has finally brought the long-awaited relief. Funded by the Government of Kenya at a cost of Ksh 200 million, the project showcases the government’s commitment to addressing the water needs of its citizens, even in regions that have been historically neglected.

The project involves drawing water through raw water pipeline from Ndakaini Dam to Kigoro Water Treatment Plant, then channeling it through 42 kilometers of newly laid water pipelines. The pipelines stretch from the Kigoro Water Treatment Plant to Kiunyu and Thika Greens and surrounding areas in Gatanga while en route.

Alongside the pipeline, three new water storage tanks have been constructed in Gatanga, with capacities of 225,000 litres at Ndunyu Chege, 100,000 litres at Mukurwe, and 50,000 litres at Nyaga.

This comprehensive infrastructure now delivers 7 million liters of clean, treated water daily, directly benefiting residents in Ndunyu-Chege, Mukurwe, Nyaga, and other neighboring areas. For the first time in years, families in Gatanga can access a reliable and sufficient water supply, transforming their daily lives and bringing a new sense of hope and possibility.

AWWDA is already looking ahead, with ongoing last-mile connectivity projects in Gatanga set to further expand water access to an additional 20,000 people. These projects, funded by the Government of Kenya at a cost of Ksh 80 million, will ensure that the transformative power of water reaches even the most remote corners of Gatanga by February 2025.