A Murang’a based water company has reduced water connection fees to enable more residents get clean water for domestic use.
Kahuti Water Company which services parts of Kangema and Kahuro Sub County has reduced connection fee from Sh 5,000 to Sh2, 000.
The company’s General Manager Engineer Ephantas Kamau said the move is aimed at assisting low income residents get clean water in their homes during this Covid-19 pandemic to improve their hygiene.
The general manager was speaking on Friday when the company connected water to three poor families in Murarandia and Mugoiri wards of Kahuro Sub County.
“In the programme we are targeting to connect more than 5, 000 homesteads within a period of two months. The areas earmarked to benefit are in the lower Mugoiri ward where there is scarcity of water,” added Kamau.
He stated that the national government has provided infrastructure which the company is making use of to lower connection expenses.
The manager further said the company is implementing a Sh 700 million water project which after completion will see more than 12, 000 homes get water.
The project dubbed Ichichi-Makomboki water project, will support families drawn from three sub counties including Kangema, Kahuro and Kigumo.
“National government is currently implementing a Sh 700 million water project targeting to benefit more than 12 000 homesteads from three sub counties,” added Kamau.
Meanwhile Kamau condemned illegal water connections perpetuated by some residents, which he said, has denied the company much needed revenue.
“Per month we incur close to Sh200, 000 loss occasioned by illegal connections. We will increase surveillance to nab and prosecute people doing the crime,” added Kamau
Speaking during the same occasion, chairperson of the company Frasia Kamau said the company in the recent past has been supporting poor families by connecting them with clean water through its corporate social responsibility.
Ms Kamau said the three families which were connected with water have been affected by various misfortunes and the company opted to ensure members of the families have water.
“For the three families we have connected with water will be getting six units free per month. The water will be enough to support the families,” she added.
One of the beneficiaries, Susan Gikonyo is disabled and her house was destroyed by a car which landed on it after being involved in an accident.
Ms Gikonyo was supported by a well-wisher two months ago who constructed her a new house with the water company coming in to connect the homestead with water.
She lauded the company for the support saying she has been relying on well-wishers to fetch her water since she cannot walk.
Another family which benefited is an aged woman who lost her three grandchildren in June through a fire tragedy.
Ms Kamau added that Kahuti Water Company will continue supporting less privileged families by employing their children and also connecting them with free water.
By Bernard Munyao
