Residents of Nanyuki town in Laikipia County will have to dig deeper in their pockets to access clean water after the local water provision company proposed for upward review of tariffs.
Nanyuki Waters and Sewerage Company (NAWASCO) conducted public participation at a Nanyuki hotel Monday on the proposed hike of water charges by 5 per cent.
According to the company, the tariff review means that a 20 litres jerrican of water from their kiosks will cost Sh2.50 up from Sh2.30.
NAWASCO Managing Director Kennedy Gitonga said the increment is meant to improve services delivery and ensure sufficient provision of water on 24 hour basis throughout the year.
“The last review of tariff was done in 2009. Between that span of time, a lot has changed. The 5 percent increment is to ensure that we have sufficient water in Nanyuki,” Gitonga said.
The MD said the tariffs will however remain intact within Majengo, Kanyoni, Likii and Kabaru areas at Sh2 per 20 litres jerrican of water.
He said that the firm serves 109,000 residents through 23,000 connections but has been losing 33 per cent of what they produce due to dilapidated infrastructure.
Gitonga said they have partnered with the county government to kick-start construction of a mega dam to mitigate issues of water shortage in the town.
The company’s chairman Yusuf Mohammed said in their five-year Strategic Plan for 2019/2023 they purposed to spend Sh1.4 billion to increase their sewer lines and overhaul old infrastructure that have led to losses of the company’s revenue.
Mohammed said the current asbestos water pipes have corroded having served for over 30 years and that if they were not changed, they will cause health hazards to their consumers.
“We require Sh1.4 billion which we have included in our five-year Strategic Plan for 2019/2023 so that we replace the asbestos pipes bursting now and then, leading to further loss of revenue in the company. That’s why we are proposing increase in tariffs to cater for all those changes,” the chairman said.
Gitonga said the review will ensure more water supply is achieved during drought seasons and proper strategies are put in place to avert losses.
By Martin Munyi
