A section of residents from Meru town have accused Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia and Meru Water and Sewerage Services (MEWASS) of failing North Imenti residents by approving what they describe as a steep increase in water tariffs.
The residents claim the move has significantly raised the cost of living, leaving many households struggling to cope.
Speaking during a press briefing at Kinoru, the residents, led by Joshua Muriki, alleged that the utility increased water tariffs by up to 300 per cent.
They called on fellow residents to review their recent bills and compare them with previous charges to understand the scale of the increment.
“Our Governor and MEWASS have failed our people because they increased water tariffs for MEWASS by 300 percent. We now ask every resident to compute the water bills they have recently paid and what they used to pay so that they can see the percentage used,” said Muriki.
The residents said attempts to establish responsibility for the tariff increase have resulted in conflicting explanations between MEWASS and the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB).
They claimed MEWASS officials initially attributed the hike to the regulator, but WASREB officials later denied responsibility and instead pointed back to the utility and the County government.
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The residents further accused the County government of approving the tariff adjustments without conducting proper public participation.
They alleged that the process was limited to a small group of individuals in a private setting thereby excluding the wider public.
“When they increased those rates, they did not conduct public participation but instead took a few people to the Meru Slopes Hotel, where they discussed and consented to those proposals, which we now say did not follow the law. That is why we say we will have demonstrations this Friday if they do not listen to us,” said Muriki.
Another resident, Peter Kathukumi, questioned the selective nature of the tariff increase, arguing that it appeared to target residents within Meru town while sparing other areas in the county.
He said the move raises concerns about fairness and equal treatment of residents.
“Why is the County government seeing it fit to have the tariffs increased for residents from Meru town only instead of increasing for all other regions?,” questioned Kathukumi.
Mwenda Murerwa described the tariff increase as oppressive, saying it has tripled the cost of water for many households.
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He also questioned the lack of transparency in MEWASS’s development plans, arguing that residents have not been given clear justification for the hike.
“An increase of 300 percent is not minimal because it is three times what we have been paying. MEWASS has not been clear on its development budget. We question whether the money is needed for its plans or will be taken elsewhere,” said Murerwa.
Murerwa also raised concerns about the management of sewerage funds collected over the years, noting that residents connected to the system have consistently paid for the service.
He questioned the accountability of those funds and called for clarity on how they have been utilized.
The residents also cited confusion over the progress of an ongoing sewerage project, referencing conflicting updates attributed to Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa.
They said the inconsistencies have further eroded confidence in the management of public projects.
By John Majau
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