The national government has joined hands with county leaders and water sector regulators to address long-standing financial and management challenges affecting the Athi Bulk Water System, which supplies water to millions of residents in the Nairobi Metropolitan region.
The meeting, held on Tuesday morning, was chaired by Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Eng. Eric Mugaa Murithi, together with Principal Secretary Julius Korir, CBS.
Water executives from Nairobi, Kiambu and Machakos counties, alongside senior government officials, regulators and agency heads, attended the high-level session.
At the centre of the discussions was the growing debt burden within institutions served by the Athi Bulk Water System — a problem officials say has slowed down investment and weakened service delivery.
Participants also raised concerns over poor coordination, unclear roles between agencies, and weak financial controls that have allowed unpaid bills to pile up.
To address the crisis, the meeting resolved that all government institutions must clear outstanding water bills owed to the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company.
Stakeholders further agreed to hold joint framework meetings bringing together Kiambu and Nairobi counties, the Council of Governors, and the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) to streamline operations and clarify responsibilities.
In Machakos, the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) will engage the county government to resolve utility governance challenges, while a bulk water meter will be installed at the EPZA station to improve billing accuracy and plug revenue leaks.
To keep momentum, the team agreed to hold monthly stakeholder meetings, with the next sitting scheduled for March 9, 2026.
CS Murithi said the success of the Athi Bulk Water System depends on cooperation between national and county governments, financial discipline, and respect for regulatory frameworks.
He added that restoring order in the system will be key to delivering reliable water services to households and businesses across the Nairobi Metropolitan region.