The Ministry of Water on Monday intensified the crackdown on illegal water connections in various parts of Nairobi.
The crackdown has so far led to the arrest of 9 people in the City.
In the 100-day rapid response initiative (RRI), users benefitting from the commodity illegally are targeted.
The operation, according to Principal Secretary Paul Rono, will be undertaken in identified residential estates within the City.
It will later be cascaded down to the counties.
Most of the illegal connections are said to be found in lower-income areas such as Githurai, Zimmerman, Kasarani, Mwiki, Kiamaiko, Huruma, Kariobangi, Mathare North and Kayole as well as Tassia, Baba Dogo, Embakasi, Kware ward and Imara Daima
"We want to ensure everyone pays for the use of this resource. We are disconnecting all illegal water pipes so that people can start applying through the legal procedures," said Rono.
A report from the Ministry states that water companies lose an estimated Sh10.6 billion yearly on non-revenue water.
This means 42 per cent of the water supply in the country is not accounted for and is lost either through technical or commercial challenges.
In an operation carried out in parts of Embakasi two weeks ago, nine suspects were arrested.
Four are said to have been charged in court and slapped with fines.
A police unit of at least 300 administration police officers to specifically protect the water resources has been created.
Non-revenue water is water produced but lost before reaching consumers, exposing water firms to huge losses.
A report by the Auditor General Nancy Gathungu showed that Nairobi loses Sh4.8 billion in unbilled water.
Gathungu’s report for the financial year that ended June 30, 2020, revealed that the Nairobi water company produced 176.04 million cubic metres of water out of which only 86.35 million cubic metres were billed to customers.
The 51 per cent of the total volume produced, a balance of 89.69 million cubic metres, represents non-revenue water
About 84 per cent of the total water supply to Nairobi residents is sourced from the Ndakaini dam.
Nairobi City Water Sewerage Company receives a supply of 525 million litres per day from the dam.
