NAIROBI, Kenya — Nairobi residents in more than 40 estates and neighbourhoods have been warned to prepare for a water supply interruption lasting approximately 24 hours as emergency repairs are undertaken on a major pipeline serving the capital.
Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) announced the disruption in a customer notice on Tuesday, October 13, saying the Athi Water Works Development Authority (AWWDA) would shut down the NCT–Kigoro–Gigiri–Kabete pipeline to facilitate emergency repair works.
The shutdown is expected to affect residential estates, commercial premises and institutions across several parts of Nairobi, including Lavington, Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Riverside, Kibera, Nairobi West, Ngara and Parklands.
In its notice, the utility said: “Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Ltd wishes to inform its customers of emergency shutdown of the NCT-Kigoro-Gigiri-Kabete pipeline by Athi Water Works Development Authority (AWWDA) to facilitate emergency repair works along the said line.”
The company did not specify the exact time the shutdown would begin, leaving residents and businesses to prepare for possible interruptions while the emergency works proceed. Reports published on Tuesday confirmed that the outage was expected to last about 24 hours.
Full list of areas affected
The notice covers a broad stretch of Nairobi, including residential neighbourhoods, major roads and institutional areas.
Riverside, Lavington, Kileleshwa and Kilimani are among the areas expected to experience supply disruptions, alongside surrounding estates.
Along Ngong Road, the affected locations include sections stretching from City Mortuary to Muchai Drive and towards Kabarnet. Other listed areas include Forces Memorial, Mbagathi Way, Adams Arcade, Woodley, Ngumo West, Ngumo Nera and Golf Course I and II. Double Tree, Kirichwa Lane and the neighbourhood behind Green House in Adams Arcade are also included.
In Kibera, residents in Lindi, Kambi Muru, Silanga, parts of Gatwekera, Kibera Plaza, Makini, Olympic, Kianda, Ayany, Karanja Road, Mwembeni and Makongeni are expected to be affected. The notice also lists Jamhuri II, Park 1 and Park 2, as well as parts of Southlands.
The disruption will extend to Nairobi West and surrounding areas, including Monali, Midland, NHC, Mai Mahiu Road, Quick Estate, Hamayun Estate, Heshima Gardens, Akila 1, Space Apartments, Lower Akiba United, Popo Road and areas around Wilson Airport. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and Mbagathi Hospital and its environs are also listed.
In Ngara and the Park Road corridor, affected locations include Park Road, City Park, Desai Road, Railway Quarters, City Park Market, Forest Road, Kipande Road and Limuru Road, together with surrounding neighbourhoods.
The notice also covers parts of Gigiri, including areas around the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United States Embassy and the International School, as well as Kinanda Valley, Kihingo Estate and Magnolia.
In Parklands, the affected locations include Parklands 1 to 5, Parklands Road, Suswa Road, Highridge, Iregi Road, Kusi Lane, Mwambao Road, Mbatu Mbatu and Masari Road.
Mbagathi Ridge, particularly the stretch between the General Service Unit quarters and the junction with Karen Road, is also on the list.
Why the pipeline shutdown matters
The NCT–Kigoro–Gigiri–Kabete pipeline forms part of the bulk water transmission infrastructure supplying Nairobi. AWWDA oversees major water infrastructure, while NCWSC manages water and sewerage services for the capital.
Shutting down a major transmission line for repairs can reduce the volume of water entering the city’s distribution network. Depending on the supply routes and available reserves, customers may experience low pressure or a complete interruption.
The scale of the affected locations means the disruption could inconvenience households, businesses, institutions and other water-dependent operations across several parts of the city.
Nairobi has experienced similar disruptions
The latest announcement follows previous shutdowns involving major water transmission pipelines serving Nairobi.
In June 2026, Nairobi Water announced an interruption after a leak was detected on the NCT–Kigoro–Gigiri–Kabete transmission pipeline at Gatundu.
That shutdown affected several residential and commercial areas, including Westlands, Lavington, Kilimani, Kibera, Karen, Uthiru, Kawangware and Lang’ata.
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Another disruption later that month followed a major leak on the NCT Fresh Water Pipeline at Riabai, near Kirigiti in Kiambu County, prompting repair works and reduced water supply to parts of Nairobi.
The recurring repairs highlight the importance of maintaining bulk transmission infrastructure that supplies the capital.
Residents urged to prepare
Customers in the affected areas should store sufficient water for essential domestic and business needs before supply is interrupted.
Residents should also monitor official updates from Nairobi Water for clarification on the start of the shutdown and the progress of the repair works.
Although the company has indicated that the interruption is expected to last approximately 24 hours, the actual return of water to individual estates may depend on when repairs are completed and normal distribution is restored.
For households and businesses in the listed neighbourhoods, early preparation will be important as technicians work to repair the pipeline and restore supply.
