Nairobi residents in more than 40 estates are set to experience water supply disruptions following an emergency shutdown of a major pipeline supplying the city.
The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) announced on Tuesday, October 13, that the Athi Water Works Development Authority (AWWDA) would shut down the NCT-Kigoro-Gigiri-Kabete pipeline to facilitate emergency repairs.
The shutdown is expected to last approximately 24 hours, although the utility did not specify the exact time the interruption would begin.
"Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Ltd wishes to inform its customers of the emergency shutdown of the NCT-Kigoro-Gigiri-Kabete pipeline by the Athi Water Works Development Authority (AWWDA) to facilitate emergency repair works along the said line," the company stated.
Residents in the affected neighbourhoods have been advised to make alternative arrangements for water as technicians undertake the repair works.
List of Nairobi Estates to Be Affected
The interruption is expected to affect several residential and commercial areas across Nairobi, including Riverside, Lavington, Kileleshwa, Kilimani, Ngara, Parklands, Kibera and Nairobi West.
Other affected locations include parts of Ngong Road, Forces Memorial, Mbagathi Way, Adams Arcade, Woodley, Ngumo West, Golf Course I and II, and areas surrounding Jamhuri.
In Kibera, residents in Lindi, Kambi Muru, Silanga, parts of Gatwekera, Kibera Plaza, Kianda, Ayany, Mwembeni and Makongeni are also expected to experience disruptions.
The shutdown will further affect parts of Southlands, Quick Estate, Hamayun Estate, Heshima Gardens, Akila 1, Space Apartments, Popo Road and neighbourhoods around Wilson Airport.
In the central parts of the city, the affected areas include Park Road, City Park, Desai Road, Railway Quarters in Ngara, Forest Road, Kipande Road and Limuru Road.
Residents and institutions around the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United States Embassy, the International School, Kinanda Valley, Kihingo Estate and Magnolia are also on the list.
In Parklands, the interruption is expected to affect Parklands Roads One to Five, Suswa Road, Highridge, Iregi Road, Kusi Lane, Mwambao Road and Masari Road.
Given the emergency nature of the repairs, residents in these neighbourhoods have been urged to prepare for possible interruptions and manage their available water supplies during the shutdown.
Why the Pipeline Shutdown Matters
The NCT-Kigoro-Gigiri-Kabete pipeline forms part of Nairobi's bulk water transmission infrastructure, which transports treated water from the Kigoro Water Treatment Plant in Murang'a County towards the capital.
The pipeline is managed by AWWDA and supplies water in bulk to the city's wider distribution network. Shutting it down for maintenance can reduce the volume of water entering the system, potentially resulting in low water pressure or complete supply interruptions in neighbourhoods that depend on the affected routes.
The disruption comes amid recurring challenges affecting Nairobi's water distribution network, with major transmission lines playing a critical role in supplying residential estates, businesses and institutions.
In June 2026, a reported leak along a transmission pipeline at Gatundu prompted another shutdown, disrupting water supply in dozens of Nairobi estates.
The latest announcement highlights the impact that emergency maintenance on major transmission infrastructure can have on households across the capital.
Residents in the affected areas are encouraged to store sufficient water for essential domestic use while awaiting the completion of the repairs and the restoration of normal supply.
