Wasreb moves to solve the boundaries row between two Murang’a water firms

Murang’a,

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

KNA by Bernard Munyao

The Water Services Regulatory Board (Wasreb) has invited directors of two Murang’a water firms for a meeting to discuss and solve boundary disputes that have been in existence since last year.

The board on January 15 its Chief Executive Officer Julius Itunga wrote to directors of Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (Muwasco) and those of Murang’a South Water and Sanitation Company (Muswasco) inviting them for a meeting to be attended by County executive member for water and irrigation, Mary Magochi.

The decision to convene the meeting scheduled for January 30, comes after Muswaco which supplies water to parts of Murang’a south claimed Muwasco has invaded its area and started connecting residents with water, a move which is against the law.

In the letter seen by KNA, Wasreb stated that it’s the only body mandated by the law to restructure and review water service providers’ boundaries indicating that despite the county government of Murang’a efforts to increase water coverage, the boundaries of each water firm should be well guided by the law.

Last year, four out of five water companies which operate in the county transferred their shares to the Murang’a county government.

The management board of Muswasco objected to the directive to transfer a majority of its share to the devolved administration thus making it the only local water firm to be under the management of the national government.

On the other hand, after transferring about 98 percent of its shares, Muwasco which serves Murang’a town and its environs got support from Governor Irungu Kang’ata’s administration to connect water to more than 1, 000 households in Kambiti and marajau areas, which are under the jurisdiction of Muswasco.

The row between the two firms has drawn attention, especially of local leadership with Maragua MP Mary Waithera faulting Muswaco for failing to provide water to a big part of her constituency.

During a public baraza on Wednesday, Waithera dismissed the proposed meeting by Wasreb saying her constituency needs to be supplied water by Muwasco, a firm she said can ensure residents of dry areas of Marajau and Kambiti access water for domestic use.

“I urge Governor Kang’ata not to attend the meeting called by Wasreb. This is because Muswasco rejected the directive to transfer its shares to county administration, secondly, water is a devolved function. So let the county government work with the firms which have moved to be under devolved administration to give residents water,” said the legislator.

Courtesy; KNA