Residents served by Murang’a South Water and Sanitation Company (MUSWASCO) may soon benefit from lower water tariffs following a push by the County Government to have the rates reduced.
The residents especially from parts of Kigumo sub county and where the company sources water from, have unfortunately occasionally resulted in the destruction of water infrastructure belonging to MUSWASCO to vent their anger on increased tariffs, resulting in major inconveniences to users. In the recent past, the residents especially from Kinyona ward have been engaged in running battles with workers of the company as they demand for lower water rates which has led to county government intervention.
After the intervention by Governor Irungu Kang’ata, the county government confirmed that it had written to the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) requesting for a reduction of the tariffs from the current Sh107 to Sh88 per cubic meter.
Murang’a Executive Committee Member for Water Mary Magochi emphasized that reducing the cost of water would ease tensions between MUSWASCO and the local community.
“Kinyona residents should be patient as the administration has already written to the WASREB requesting for reduction of the tariffs following the cry of the residents,” she noted.
Additionally, the county government proposed taking over MUSWASCO’s administration from the national government, arguing that local management would enhance efficiency and enable quicker responses to future similar issues, preventing further damage to infrastructure.
“For some time, a dispute has persisted between MUSWASCO and residents of Kinyona and Karinga villages, leading to the destruction of key infrastructure and affecting water supply in surrounding areas. The county government has written to the Principal Secretary for Water requesting for urgent transfer of MUSWASCO shares to the county government to solve the challenge,” stated Ms Magochi.
She called upon residents of Kinyona to allow the company to restore damaged infrastructure so as to allow people in other parts of Murang’a South access water.
On his part, Murang’a County Secretary Newton Mwangi said the other four water firms operating in Murang’a have transferred their ownership under the county government.
He said only MUSWASCO was left under control of the national government saying once the firm is transferred under the county administration, some water wars would be urgently addressed.
Mwangi further urged the national government to speed up the completion of the Kinyona irrigation project.
He highlighted the project’s potential to support local farmers and boost livelihoods in Kinyona and Karinga areas within Kigumo ward.
The County Secretary however noted that if delays persisted, the county government would consider implementing a smaller-scale irrigation scheme in the next financial year to support local farmers.
By Bernard Munyao