Water shortages has been a nightmare in Nairobi County and it’s environs, Over 35 water vendors have been arrested in Nairobi over the last seven days due to illegal water connections.
The crackdown which was carried out by the Nairobi City County Government and the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company targets to end cases of water shortage in some of the city estates.
Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company Managing Director Nahashon Muguna explained that the crackdown was conducted in all 17 sub-counties in Nairobi over the past week
“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,” he stated.
The Nairobi Water MD also warned those who operate car wash establishments near roads that they will be closed down.
He noted that some have illegal connections that are responsible for water shortage in other areas saying that the crackdown will continue.
“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.
“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,” the MD stated.
Early this month Governor Mike Sonko announced a Sh300,000 cash reward for anyone who will help the Nairobi City County Government identify those behind the water cartels, many of them accused of diverting the commodity to private vendors by disconnecting water pipes in Nairobi estates.
The Governor also offered a Sh10,000 cash reward for anyone who reports County officials who are 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.