As Thika moves closer to attaining city status, concerns are growing over a worsening water shortage that threatens to slow down the town’s fast-paced urban and industrial growth.
The bustling industrial hub is currently grappling with a daily water deficit exceeding 20,000 cubic metres, with demand continuing to outpace supply due to rapid population growth, urban expansion and increased industrial activity.
At present, Thika Water and Sewerage Company produces approximately 40,000 cubic metres of water every day, a supply considered inadequate for the town’s population of more than 279,000 residents and the growing number of people expected to settle in the area in the coming years.
In a bid to address the crisis, the national government through the Athi Water Works Development Agency has launched a Sh15.4 billion water expansion project aimed at increasing production by an additional 70,000 cubic metres per day.
The project, which is being implemented in collaboration with the Danish International Development Agency, will include the expansion of water infrastructure, construction of new storage facilities and establishment of modern water treatment plants.
Speaking during THIWASCO’s annual stakeholders’ meeting, Managing Director Eng. Moses Kinya said the planned improvements are expected to ease persistent water shortages and rationing that residents of the rapidly growing town have endured for years.
Kinya noted that once completed, the project will greatly enhance water supply and strengthen Thika’s push to become Kenya’s sixth city after Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret.
Residents and stakeholders attending the meeting called on the water company to accelerate the construction of additional treatment plants, sewerage systems and household water and sewer connections to keep pace with the town’s rising population and growing industrial demand.
THIWASCO is also seeking to benefit from the multibillion-shilling Kariminu II Dam project, which currently supplies water to Ruiru, Juja and Nairobi.
The company’s Board Chairperson Bishop Dr Kennedy M. Mbatia together with David Kimani Kuria emphasized the need for increased investment in water infrastructure to sustain the town’s economic and urban growth.
At the same time, Kinya said the company, in collaboration with the Water Police Unit, had intensified operations against illegal water connections, resulting in the arrest of hundreds of offenders involved in water theft and vandalism.
He urged residents to cooperate with the company in safeguarding water infrastructure and supporting efforts aimed at improving service delivery across the town.
