A showdown is looming between Murang’a South Water and Sanitation Company and residents of the Kigumo sub-county in Murang’a following raised tariffs.
The company raised water charges in 2023 after approval by the Water Services Regulatory Board, with one to seven units of water costing Sh107.
Last week, a section of locals took matters into their own hands and disconnected water metres from their homes in protest, after complaining over the matter for a long time.
The locals claimed the company had refused to meet them to discuss issues cropping up and that the extreme actions were to prompt its officials to organise a meeting.
“This company refused to hand over its ownership to the county government and has remained under the national government but water is a devolved function,” Njiiri Githae, a resident said.
He said failure by the entity to operate under the county government had made it impossible for the devolved unit to intervene when issues crop up.
In 2023, four water companies heeded to a directive by Wasreb to transfer their ownership to the county government.
Muswasco, however, disregarded the directive, sparking a fierce row fanned by the control of Sh800 Maragua dam in Maragua subcounty, which is under the company’s jurisdiction.
The row ended when President William Ruto visited the county and ruled that the company’s competitor, Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (Muwasco) would manage the dam, but Muswasco still declined to join the county.
Kigumo residents vandalised a 315mm pipe that channels water from an intake in Gatare, Aberdare forest, to Kigumo town, Muthithi, Saba Saba and Kamahuha, as thousands of litres went down the drain.
“They have to engage us and listen to our complaints because without us, who would they sell the water to?” Mwaura Karanja, another resident, posed.
Karanja said though they have no issue paying for the commodity, the charges imposed are too high for a rural area, saying many are struggling to clear the bills.
“We started this water project. We went to the forest to dig trenches all the way to our homes only for the company to take control and impose high charges.”
The residents also called on the company to conserve its catchment areas by planting sufficient trees. Muswasco’s managing director John Macharia released a statement expressing concern over the vandalism that he said had cost the company over Sh4 million and affected thousands of customers downstream.
“Despite Kinyona receiving an all-round water supply, a criminal gang has been inciting non-payment for water services and vandalising water infrastructure. These actions are in direct violation of the constitution of Kenya,” Macharia said.
“The group has been spreading inflammatory propaganda with the intent to foster anarchy and disregard the
rule of law. Non-payment can lead to enforcement actions including service disconnection or legal measures.”
