Efforts underway to supply water in Nairobi's informal settlements

In a bid to supply residents in slums within Kenya's capital Nairobi with clean water, authorities at the Nairobi Metropolitan Services have started a water distribution program as they rehabilitate roads, sewage treatment and healthcare facilities.

On Thursday, Cyrus Oguna, a Kenyan government spokesperson, said one of the most important development blueprints the country is implementing is Kenya Vision 2030, the objective of which is to help transform Kenya into a middle-income country by providing a high-quality life to all its citizens by the year 2030.

Oguna spoke during an impromptu visit to the MukuruKwa Rueben slums as he oversaw the daily water distribution program. The government spokesperson said the government's aim is to make sure Kenyans have an adequate supply of clean water, especially using bowsers in areas that do not have boreholes.

"The Nairobi Metropolitan Services is supplying water into areas that do not have water or have a hard time accessing water. The government's aim is to ensure all areas get access to water and not seasonal water but supply on a daily basis," Oguna said.

The boreholes have been drilled as a measure to reduce COVID-19 infections, and residents in slums are getting free water from boreholes staffed by youths in the communities.

"The government of Kenya, through the ministry of water and sanitation, has undertaken these measures toward ensuring the increased availability of water within the informal settlements of Nairobi," Oguna said.