Nairobi water woes to end as county carries crackdown on illegal water connections

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A dry water tap. PHOTO COURTESY

Nairobi, KENYA: Water shortage woes in Nairobi might soon come to an end following a crackdown on illegal water connections.

At least 35 water vendors have been arrested in Nairobi over the last seven days in the crackdown that was carried out by the County Government and the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) targeting to end water shortage in some of the city estates.

NCWSC Managing Director Nahashon Muguna said the operation was carried out in all the 17 Sub-Counties in the capital.

“We will sustain the war on water cartels and those who are diverting piped water for their own personal use. We will also disconnect the illegal connections and arrest those responsible,” said Muguna.

Most of those found diverting piped water have been arraigned in court and surcharged for the water they have been using illegally.

“I’m appealing to all Nairobi residents to apply for water connection and avoid using the cartels to get water through diversion which denies other residents the commodity even after paying for the services,” added Muguna.

Early this month Governor Mike Sonko announced a sh.300,000 cash reward for anyone who will help the County Government identify those behind the water cartels, and sh.10,000 for anyone who reports County officials colluding with the cartels to divert piped water for their own personal benefit.

“We are determined to identify and individuals behind the water cartels who divert piped water to private water vendors. It’s apparent that the water shortage being experienced in many parts of Nairobi is as a result of sabotage by these cartels whose days are now numbered. We will find them,” said the Governor.

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