By David Kagina
For Nairobi residents, water shortages have become an everyday struggle. The capital faces a daily deficit of more than 260,000 cubic meters, leaving many households with dry taps and rationed supply. With demand at 790,000 cubic meters per day against a supply of just 525,000 cubic meters, the deficit already stands at 33 percent—and is projected to grow.
Yet hope is flowing from the upstream catchments of the Upper Tana and Mid-Galana basins—sources that supply 95 percent of Nairobi’s water and 80 percent of Kenya’s hydropower. Here, a major restoration initiative led by The Nature Conservancy (TNC), with support from Coca-Cola, is working to close the gap. Backed by a USD 1.65 million investment, the project is rolling out practical, nature-based solutions that blend conservation with community benefits. Farmers are being supported to harvest rainwater through ponds, establish terraces to reduce soil erosion, plant trees along riverbanks, and grow fruit orchards that improve nutrition while opening new income streams.
“We need more water in Nairobi… but to increase the quantity and quality flowing downstream, we must work with farmers upstream,” explains Ademola Ajagbe, TNC’s Regional Managing Director for Africa. “Through regenerative agriculture, we can cut agrochemical use, improve yields, and put more money in farmers’ pockets—all while protecting nature.”
The initiative targets the replenishment of 500 million liters of water, the restoration of more than 10 kilometers of riparian land, and the planting of 20,000 indigenous trees. By safeguarding upstream ecosystems, the project also protects billion-shilling infrastructure such as Karimenu Dam, which supplies Nairobi and its growing satellite towns. “Through this project, we will work with communities to sustainably conserve the catchment for Karimenu Dam, so it can serve generations to come,” says Eng. Joseph Kamau of the Athi Water Works Development Agency.
Beyond water, the project is also reshaping livelihoods. By 2029, the planting of 130,000 fruit trees is expected to generate over USD 500,000 annually, directly benefiting more than 200,000 households. For many farmers, this represents not only better yields but also a path to economic resilience. “Water does not come from the tap – it comes from these landscapes, protected by people,” reminds Elizabeth Wathuti of the Green Generation Initiative. “Everyone, from upstream farmers to city dwellers, must be part of this effort.”
For the Upper Tana Nairobi Water Fund, a partnership of public and private actors, this shared model of investment is proving to be the way forward. “Protecting this watershed is critical not just for the city, but for Kenya’s economy,” adds Eddy Njoroge, President of the Fund.
For Coca-Cola, whose operations rely on secure water sources, and for TNC, whose mission is long-term ecosystem restoration, the partnership represents a blueprint for water security that delivers both environmental and social returns. “The numbers are rising because the solution delivers benefits for farmers, nature, and society as a whole,” concludes Ajagbe. “That is the real transformation.”
In the face of Nairobi’s growing water crisis, this initiative demonstrates that when communities, corporates, and conservationists work together, Kenya’s most precious resource—water—can be safeguarded for generations to come.
