Water supply has resumed in Masalani town, Ijara Sub County after Garissa County Government paid to Kenya Power Company an outstanding three-month electricity bill amounting to sh600, 000.
The County Chief Officer, Water Services and Sanitation, Ahmed Abdirahman, confirmed the bill had been cleared leading to the resumption of water supply.
A spot check by KNA established there was water running in water taps and water kiosk operations have resumed.
Leaders from Masalani led by Masalani Youth Leader Abdullahi Abdi, former Chairman of the defunct Ijara County Council Chairman, Mr Mohamed Gure, and Chairman of Peace Building, Mr Ali Omar, commended the Department of Water Services for working hard to ensure the residents received the vital commodity.
They however appealed to the County Government to be proactive rather than reactive such that they should pay the bills before disconnection of power, which create a water crisis.
They also wondered why the bill was so high and challenged the Electricity Regulatory Authority to investigate why power can go so high for just running a water supply for the town.
“The water supply electricity bill is said to be Sh200, 000 a month in Masalani town, which is questionable and it seems the power company is milking Kenya dry through the electricity bills,” they claimed.
Contacted for comment Kenya Power Hola Sub-Station Officer in charge John Timothy, under who Masalani falls, said it depends on the consumption of Masalani water supply from the intake area to the water supply area.
By Mohamed Dahir
