Casper Waithaka
8 July 2009
Nairobi — The entire board of the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company was on Wednesday sent packing over alleged mismanagement.
A full council meeting of the City Council of Nairobi made the move citing unfair water rationing and illegal connections that have seen millions of cubic litres of water lost even with the rains failing substantially.
The chair of the Water Committee, Hellen Katangie (Karen Ward) told reporters after the meeting: "There have been numerous complaints from members of the public, and since we are the owners of the company, we have to turn things around. This is the only way to see change in the water sector."
Streamline operations
Residents have complained that the rationing plan has left millions in Nairobi without water in their taps and with no viable alternative.
The council fully owns the water company which was constituted in 2004 to streamline water operations.
Councillor Gore Mohammed (Makina ward) proposed the move and was seconded by more than 50 councillors who applauded the move loudly showing their satisfaction with the development.
Nairobi mayor, Geofrey Majiwa said: "We have declared the board dissolved as the board has failed to rein in the management, which has seen the company fail in its mandate."
He added that there will be a paid-for advertisement to announce the date of the AGM.
"We note with a lot of concern that there are staff members who are involved in the cartels that have illegally connected water, worsening the water shortage," said the Mayor.
Acting legal director, Karisa Iha, is the man charged with the responsibility of drafting the letter communicating the new development to the directors.
As a result, there will be a tour round the city today to inspect the illegal water connections led by Mr Majiwa.
Recently the government put in place measures to contain the water shortage in the city by drilling 50 boreholes.
Water and Irrigation permanent secretary, David Stower blamed the water rationing on the failed rains.
Water vendors have been making a killing with a 20 litre jerrican retailing at between Sh10 and 50.
For a 5,000-litre lorry, one has to part with Sh5,000. Ironically, these vendors buy the water from the boreholes for Sh500 for the same capacity.
The PS had noted that there has been unfair water rationing in some of the city estates. He was earlier quoted saying: "We are adjusting the new rationing schedules so that it covers everybody fairly and focus on the slums too."
Long queues have been the order of the day in city estates with residents being forced to abandon their day activities or leave their work places earlier in search of water.
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