Vandalism and illegal connections were still drawbacks to provision of clean piped water in Siaya County, area Water Executive, Mr George Rubik said.
The CEC said water provision efforts by the county and national governments, and partners, have been frustrated by the stealing of pipes, pumps and meters. He also said there were various cartels who illegally connect their pipes to the government ones, hence causing artificial water shortages.
In an interview, Mr. Rubik said the cartels illegally divert the water to vendors, which also denied the government revenue. He said the county government’s Siaya Bondo Water and Sewerage Company (SIBOWASCO), lose about 70 per cent of revenue annually because of vandalism and illegal connections.
He said his office has written to the police and the local administrators, to be on the alert to help catch the culprits of the vices.
Mr Rubik said since 2013, Siaya County government has spent Sh1.8 billion, to provide clean piped water to 65 per cent of the area residents.
By Paul Olale