Residents of Thika and its environs have been urged to prepare for imminent water rationing following a sharp decline in water levels in Thika and Chania rivers.
The Thika Water and Sewerage Company (Thiwasco) says the ongoing dry spell has significantly reduced raw water inflows, pushing the rivers close to critical levels and straining supply.
Speaking during a media briefing in Thika town, Managing Director Moses Kinya said the company’s production capacity currently stands at 39,000 cubic metres per day against a demand of more than 60,000 cubic metres. The deficit affects over 300,000 residents who rely on treated water from the utility.
Kinya noted that rising demand from households, businesses and institutions has compounded the situation, forcing the company to revise its water distribution schedule.
“We are doing everything possible to stabilise supply, but consumers must also play their part by conserving water,” he said.
Thiwasco has written to the Water Resources Authority seeking tighter regulation of upstream irrigation abstraction to safeguard downstream supply during the dry period.
The company is also seeking approval to utilise part of Karimenu II Dam in Gatundu North to help bridge the shortfall. In the meantime, residents have been advised to avoid non-essential water use and adopt conservation measures as rationing plans take effect.
