Stakeholders okay KEWASCO to raise tariffs to finance its operations

The Kericho Water and sanitation Company (KEWASCO) limited has been given the greenlight by its stakeholders to raise tariffs to enable it finance its operations.

During a stakeholder engagement held at its water treatment plant at Toror, the leadership led by its Chairman  Sirkelly Cheruiyot and the Chief Executive Officer  Reuben Korir,  said the water provider was not doing well financially and could not meet its financial obligations.

The Chairman said an increase in the tariffs will enable KEWASCO to raise funds to pay salaries, undertake the much needed rehabilitation of old and dilapidated water works that resulted in a high water loss margin of 57 per cent.

In the domestic category (Consumption band 1-6 ) Kewasco seeks to increase from Ksh 50 per Cubic Meter to Ksh. 80 per cubic Meter. A 20 Litre Jerrican will be selling at Ksh. 1.70 at the household level.

Consumption Band 7-20 which has been charging Ksh. 88 per cubic meter seeks to increase to Ksh.115. In that category a 20 Lire Jerrican will be sold for Ksh. 2.30, among others.

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The Chairman who took over during a turbulent moment for the water provider said the company was slowly coming out of the financial hardships which had made it impossible to meet its financial obligations like paying salaries and suppliers.

Several Members of the County Assembly led by the Chairman of the Water Committee at the Assembly Peter Kemoi and the host Paul Bill (Kiptegan) of Kapsaos Ward, flanked by Martin Cheruiyot (Kapkugerwet), Philip Kirui (Kipchimchim) promised support from the assembly and said a budget line for KEWASCO should be introduced.

However, they took exception to the high water loss at an high of 57 per cent which they said was too high and measures to cap it should be put in place.

The WASREB team led by its Chairman Job Chirchir and the Chief Executive Officer Richard Chirchir gave assurances to the public that the new team at the Kewasco was competent and early results showed they were pulling out of the financial mess which it had been plunged to previous poor leadership.

The regulator urged the management to urgently curb the high water loss, prioritise customer satisfaction through provision of reliable water supply, pay suppliers and pay salaries on time.

The Chairman of the lake Victoria South Water Works Dan Amino congratulated the new team at Kewasco saying they were reliable and had restored public confidence through their actions.

He said the partnership between the authority and the water provider was good and will be enhanced through implementation of several projects in the region.

The stakeholders urged the management to prioritise construction of modern sewerage facilities in trading centres like Brooke, Kapsuser,  and Kapsoit.

By Benedict Ng’etich.

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