City Hall has shut down 483 illegal water connection points.
The main areas where water was disconnected are Huruma, Ngei, Pangani, Mwiki, Clay City Kasarani, Maji-Mazuri Kasarani, Githurai 44 and Zimmerman estates.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko said on Tuesday that water cartels in collaboration with water vendors were disconnecting water pipes in estates so they can sell water.
He also said in a statement that same cartels were illegally shifting and connecting water pipes from one area to another.
On Tuesday 128 people had been arrested in connection with illegal water hook-ups in the city.
“My officers from the department of water are on continuous surveillance to ensure illegal water connections are brought to an end,” Sonko said.
He said the operation has helped the county increase its revenue from water billing.
“Billing figures have increased since we launched this operation. Initially, the government was losing millions due to the illegal connection,” Sonko said.
The crackdown on illegal connections started in December last year and is being carried out by the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company to end water shortages in estates.
Sonko offered a Sh10,000 cash reward for anyone reporting any official involved in cartels to divert piped water for illegal connections and personal benefit.
Early this year, Sonko had threatened to reshuffle staff at Nawasco to break up cartels causing what he called an artificial water shortage in major estates.
The estates include Umoja, Kariobangi South, Roysambu, Mathare and Langata.
