Tana Water: We own Murang’a water firms’ assets

Tana Water Services Board says it is in charge of four out of the five water companies’ assets in Murang’a and cannot hand over to the county government unless directed by the ministry.

The board’s chief executive officer Moses Naivasha said they had never had problems with transition but would wait for directions from the national government.

Mr Naivasha said they had no objection to the county government taking over the management of the water companies as long as they follow the law and involve the relevant stakeholders.

He spoke when he appeared before the Water committee of the Murang’a County Assembly.

Giving an example of Nyeri County, Mr Naivasha said Murang’a, could only assume the management roles of the water companies only after following the laid down procedures.

“Nyeri County took over the management of Nyeri Water and Service Board, which belonged to the defunct municipality, after engaging the stakeholders and Murang’a too should follow the channel whenever they want to take over,” he told the committee members.

Responding to Kakuzi Mitumbiri MCA Pelagia Muthoni question on the viability of the water firms in Murang’a, Mr Naivasha noted that a World Bank-commissioned study had recommended fewer commercially viable water companies in counties.

In Murang’a, there are five independent water companies that even borrow loans to enhance water services in their area of jurisdictions.

The companies are Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (Muwasco), Murang’a South Water and Sanitation (Muswasco), Gatamathi, Kahuti and Gatanga Water.

The first four are agents of Tana Water Services Board while the fifth operates under the Athi Water Services Board.

On failure by the water companies to repay their loans, Mr Naivasha said it was a concern that needed to be addressed at the national level.

“We acknowledge that most companies countrywide have failed to repay their loans due to various reasons ranging from the tariffs adjustments and non-revenue water but the board has no mechanism to address these issues, they can only be looked at by the Ministry of Water,” he said.