Nairobi Water Revenue Surges to Sh11.7 Billion as Sakaja’s Overhaul Pays Off
NAIROBI — The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) has posted record revenue of Sh11.7 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year, marking the highest annual collection in the company’s history.
Governor Johnson Sakaja attributed the rise to structural changes implemented since he took office in August 2022. “In just three years, we’ve grown revenue by nearly Sh4 billion from Sh8 billion to Sh11.7 billion,” Sakaja said during a press briefing on Tuesday. “This growth reflects improved systems and digitization of services across the utility.”
The company’s revenue had previously stagnated around Sh8 billion for five years. Since Sakaja’s administration began, collections rose from Sh8.11 billion in 2021/2022 to Sh9.46 billion in 2022/2023, and then to Sh10.75 billion in 2023/2024.
According to NCWSC Board Chair Arnold Karanja, the new Sh11.7 billion figure represents a 24% increase in two years. “That’s a consistent annual increase of over Sh1 billion,” Karanja stated. “In June alone, we recorded our highest monthly billing ever Sh1.08 billion.”
Karanja credited the jump to citizen reporting of leaks, sewer bursts, and illegal water use, along with expanded meter installations and replacement of outdated ones to improve billing accuracy.
Key reforms include sealing revenue loopholes, digitizing billing and payments, appointing a professional CEO, and upgrading metering infrastructure. Sakaja emphasized the impact of digitization, stating the company will continue educating residents on illegal connections and their effects on water losses.
The Governor also announced operational success of the Northern Water Collector Tunnel, which is now injecting 140 million liters of water daily into Nairobi’s system. “Pressure has improved, and neighborhoods that previously lacked water are now receiving it more consistently,” he said.
The NCWSC has also introduced customer-focused digital tools. “Residents can now track their water usage in real time by dialing *260#,” Karanja said. “This has been a game-changer in improving accountability and revenue.”
Beyond finances, NCWSC says it is building a stronger internal culture. Recent policy approvals include a workplace program supporting staff recovering from alcohol and drug addiction. The initiative aims to aid rehabilitation and reduce relapse risk through structured employee support.
The utility’s consistent revenue rise marks a new phase in Nairobi’s water service delivery, setting a precedent for other public institutions struggling with collections and service reliability.
