Machakos sewerage project nears completion, set to serve thousands

News / Thu, 07/30/2026 - 12:14

ANNE KANGERO-KNA

A major sewerage project in Machakos County is expected to be fully operational by the end of August 2026.

Once completed, the project will channel sewer waste that previously flowed through open drains in Machakos and its surrounding areas—including Muvuti, Kiima Kimwe, Katheka Kai, Mutituni and Mumbuni—into 65 kilometres of underground sewer pipes connected to a modern treatment plant.

The Machakos Sewerage Project in Muvuti, being implemented under the Kenya Towns Sustainable Water Supply and Sanitation Programme, is now 90 per cent complete.

The project is expected to connect about 150,000 residents of Machakos Town and its environs to a centralized sewer system for the first time.

During a site visit by the Machakos County Implementation Coordination Management Committee (CICMC), led by Machakos County Commissioner Jackson Ole Chuta, members received a firsthand briefing on the project’s progress and inspected the ongoing works.

They were hosted by Eng. David Otieno, Manager for Construction and Residual Operations at Tanathi Water Works Development Agency.

According to Engineer Otieno, construction began in June 2020 with a budget of Sh840 million and the revised contract price now stands at Sh1 billion.

So far the contractor has laid 65km of the sewer line and modern waste water treatment plan across Muvuti, Kimutwa, Kiima Kimwe, Mumbuni, Katheka Kai, Mua, and Mutituni.

The plant itself has the capacity to treat 6,250 cubic meters of wastewater daily and about 3,000 household connections are ongoing in Machakos town and its environs.

“The works commenced in June 2020 and we are at 90 per cent to be completed by the end of August 2026, We have installed 65km of sewer and a modern wastewater treatment plant. What remains is 3.2km,” Eng. Otieno told the CICMC team.

Site Agent Eng. Thomas Biwott said the project is in its final phase. “We are at the tail end now. The remaining works are electrical connections and landscaping,” he said.