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 is incurring losses amounting to about Sh. 4 million in a month 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 that some individuals have connected pipes from the main water pipe to their farms, thus denying the company 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 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, 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 metres, and theft of their equipment.
He further noted that 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 regularise 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 they have negatively impacted the revenue of the company,” he added.
By Bernard Munyao
