The Water Services Regulatory Board (Wasreb) has nullified Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria’s new county provisions on the basis that they did not involve public participation.
The county head established a new board of directors to oversee water projects in the area in addition to coming up with a new water and sanitation services law.
Wasreb said that the Murang’a County Laws, which the county used to appoint the board, is null and void as it contradicts national government laws governing the water sector.
“Whenever a county law contradicts the national laws, it is the national laws that prevail. This means the Murang’a County Water Act and the new appointments are null and void,” Robert Gakubia, Wasreb’s CEO said.
The new law assented to by Governor Mwangi gave the county full control of the five water companies in Murang’a.
It created an umbrella company – Murang’a County Water and Sanitation Services – under which the five are to operate.
Mr Gakobia therefore urged the stakeholders to ignore the appointments saying the water companies had legally constituted boards.