The move has been welcomed by local leaders and community groups who say the problem has for years undermined public health and daily livelihoods in the densely populated Nairobi constituency.
On Thursday, January 22, 2026, Raila Jnr led a delegation of Kibra grassroots leaders to City Hall, where they held a consultative meeting with Nairobi City County water and sewerage officials.
On Thursday, January 22, 2026, Raila Jnr led a delegation of Kibra grassroots leaders to City Hall, where they held a consultative meeting with Nairobi City County water and sewerage officials.
The talks focused on identifying practical and sustainable solutions to the chronic water shortages that have left many households dependent on water vendors and unreliable supply lines.
According to Lindi Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Jera, the meeting brought together a cross-section of political leaders, opinion shapers and community organisers under the umbrella of the Kamkunji Pressure Group.
According to Lindi Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) Robert Jera, the meeting brought together a cross-section of political leaders, opinion shapers and community organisers under the umbrella of the Kamkunji Pressure Group.
The delegation engaged senior officials from the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Ministry, including Chief Officer Oscar Omoke and Managing Director Martin Nangole.
“Earlier today, Raila Odinga Jr. led some Nairobi County elected leaders, opinion shapers, and Kibra Kamkunji Pressure Group members in a consultative meeting with the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Ministry, led by Chief Officer Oscar Omoke and MD Martin Nangole, to address Kibra’s water shortage,” MCA Jera said in a statement following the meeting.
The discussions centred on the state of existing water infrastructure in Kibra, illegal connections, supply disruptions and the need for expanded distribution networks to match the area’s growing population.
“Earlier today, Raila Odinga Jr. led some Nairobi County elected leaders, opinion shapers, and Kibra Kamkunji Pressure Group members in a consultative meeting with the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Ministry, led by Chief Officer Oscar Omoke and MD Martin Nangole, to address Kibra’s water shortage,” MCA Jera said in a statement following the meeting.
The discussions centred on the state of existing water infrastructure in Kibra, illegal connections, supply disruptions and the need for expanded distribution networks to match the area’s growing population.
Officials also acknowledged that ageing pipelines, vandalism and inconsistent water pressure have compounded the crisis over the years.
Raila Jnr, who has increasingly taken an active role in community advocacy, said the meeting marked a significant step toward translating residents’ concerns into concrete action.
Raila Jnr, who has increasingly taken an active role in community advocacy, said the meeting marked a significant step toward translating residents’ concerns into concrete action.
In a statement shared on his Facebook page, he said the engagement followed an earlier consultative forum with the Kamkunji Pressure Group, where water shortages emerged as a top priority for the community.
“Following our productive engagement with the Kamukunji Pressure Group last Sunday—where water shortages were a major concern—we are making steady progress on our commitments. We agreed on concrete, actionable measures to address the ongoing water shortages in the area,” Raila Jnr said.
He added that while technical interventions were necessary, broader political goodwill and cooperation among local leaders would be critical for long-term success.
“However, a collaborative political solution involving broader Kibera leadership would significantly boost the success of these interventions,” he noted.
Raila Jnr also framed the water crisis as a humanitarian and rights issue, citing international standards that recognise access to clean water as a basic human right.
“Following our productive engagement with the Kamukunji Pressure Group last Sunday—where water shortages were a major concern—we are making steady progress on our commitments. We agreed on concrete, actionable measures to address the ongoing water shortages in the area,” Raila Jnr said.
He added that while technical interventions were necessary, broader political goodwill and cooperation among local leaders would be critical for long-term success.
“However, a collaborative political solution involving broader Kibera leadership would significantly boost the success of these interventions,” he noted.
Raila Jnr also framed the water crisis as a humanitarian and rights issue, citing international standards that recognise access to clean water as a basic human right.
“As affirmed by the United Nations, access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right. We remain committed to delivering lasting solutions for our communities,” he said.
Several local leaders who attended the meeting echoed his sentiments, urging the county government to move with speed in implementing the agreed-upon measures.
Several local leaders who attended the meeting echoed his sentiments, urging the county government to move with speed in implementing the agreed-upon measures.
Among those present were Lindi MCA Robert Jera, Nairobi ODM vice-chair Jerah Ketta Onyango, Laini Saba MCA Daniel Okoth Owino, Kamkunji Pressure Group chair Wycliffe Odero, popularly known as Jayalo, and the group’s organiser.
Community representatives said residents of Kibra often go for days without piped water, forcing families to purchase water from vendors at inflated prices.
Community representatives said residents of Kibra often go for days without piped water, forcing families to purchase water from vendors at inflated prices.
They warned that the situation worsens during dry seasons, exposing residents to water-borne diseases and deepening economic hardship in one of Nairobi’s most densely populated neighbourhoods.
Oscar Omoke, who previously vied unsuccessfully for the Lang’ata parliamentary seat, assured the delegation that the county government was committed to addressing the crisis.
Oscar Omoke, who previously vied unsuccessfully for the Lang’ata parliamentary seat, assured the delegation that the county government was committed to addressing the crisis.
He said the ministry was reviewing infrastructure gaps and working on both short-term and long-term interventions to stabilise water supply in Kibra and surrounding areas.
The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Ministry officials also pledged to intensify efforts to curb illegal connections and vandalism, which they said were undermining water distribution efficiency across several informal settlements.
The Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Ministry officials also pledged to intensify efforts to curb illegal connections and vandalism, which they said were undermining water distribution efficiency across several informal settlements.
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