The County Government of Mombasa has intensified efforts to curb Non-Revenue Water (NRW), which currently stands at 60 percent, causing the Department of Water to lose nearly Sh100 million every month due to illegal water connections.
The county has launched a 100-day crackdown targeting illegal water connections to reduce NRW from 60 per cent to 30 per cent within the next two years.
Governor Abdulswamad Nassir revealed that Mombasa requires 200,000 cubic meters of water daily but only receives 40,000 cubic meters. Of this, about 20,000 cubic meters are lost through illegal connections and leakages along pipelines from Baricho in Kilifi County, as well as Marere and Tiwi in Kwale County.
The public has been urged to provide information to the Department of Water as plans are underway for a free toll number where reports can be made anonymously and be rewarded.
“Once the hotline is launched, the public will be able to provide information confidentially on a reward basis. If an offender is apprehended, the informant will receive a reward,” said the Governor, commending county officials for their efforts in the ongoing crackdown.
The crackdown has so far been conducted in Changamwe, Kisauni and Mvita, where 21 illegal connections in the houses of Senior County and National Government officials have been uncovered.
The Governor has directed the County Secretary to take action against the County Officials. He further reiterated that he will not allow a few individuals to deny a whole locality access to water from the County Government.
“We are going to soon see more water available, and the major reason we have not had this water is because NRW has been one of the highest in the country,” he stated.
This can be equated to treason, because if you cut people’s livelihoods (water) and you decide to use that water for your selfish greed, where you’re selling that water at an exorbitant price while the rest of the places have no water. It is not about political expediency, but it is about ensuring basic human rights. The right to access water is going to be attained”, emphasized the Governor.
By Sadik Hassan
