Vandalism and illegal connections leave a Murang’a water firm counting losses

Murang’a,

Thursday, November 2, 2023

KNA by Bernard Munyao

Increased vandalism of water infrastructure and illegal connections have left a Murang’a water company counting losses.

Managing Director of Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (Muwasco) Engineer Daniel Ng’ang’a has revealed that the firm in a month is incurring losses amounting to about Sh. 4 million occasioned by illegal water connections and vandalism of pipes among other water equipment.

Illegal connections, Ng’ang’a said, are a big challenge since the company is not getting revenue from the water it's supplying to clients.

 He noted some individuals have resulted in connecting pipes from the main water pipe to their farms thus denying the company the much-needed revenue.

On Wednesday the Director said the losses are affecting the operations of the company saying they are not in a position to increase water connections due to lack of adequate revenue.

  “Muwasco for some past months has suffered vandalism of its infrastructure and illegal connections which are resulting in unbilled water leading to revenue loss and poor quality service that are denting the image of the company.” Stated Ng’ang’a.

The director spoke when he led a team of technicians to disconnect all illegal connections at the Kiharu estate within Murang’a town.

 “For the last three weeks, there has been an increase in illegal connections and especially water being drawn for commercial purposes like in hostels. So far 10 people have been arrested and their cases are before the court,” he stated.

The company, Ng’ang’a said in collaboration with security agents and members of the public has increased surveillance and stiffer legal penalties to curtail illegal connections, by-passing of water meters, and theft of their equipment.

He further noted the millions lost annually would have been used to increase water connections, especially to areas that are far from Murang’a town, and also improve the company’s service delivery.

Ng’ang’a observed that the company has given those who have made illegal water connections an amnesty to regularize their connections.

 “We hope those who have made illegal water connections do what is right before it’s too late. Muwasco is exploring all legal means to stop the illegal connections since it has negatively impacted the revenue of the company,” he added.

Courtesy; KNA