By Our Reporter
Residents of Kajiado North and Kajiado West constituencies started paying higher tariffs for water since July 2021 after Water Services Regulatory Board approved Oloolaiser Water and Sewerage Company proposals to have tariff for the period 2021/2022 adjusted.
The Company Managing Director Dickson Ntikoisa said Public consultation was carried out in accordance to the law for tariff adjustment.
He said the new tariffs would ensure the company revenue grows, adding that the increase is necessary to enable it meet growing operations cost.
The highest tariff is for Domestic Single dwelling for 7-20 cubic metres whose tariff was increased from Sh80 to Sh115.
Commercial industry 1-50 cubic metres, bills went up from the current Sh104 to Sh115 among other adjustiments.
“The old tariff rates do not match the ever recurrent and operational costs,” the MD said during the water company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in July, 2021, adding: “We have been affected by Covid-19 and destruction of 14 Kms of our water supply by contractors undertaking road works under KeRRA and the County Government.”
He said the company had partially suspended water bills for low income earners users and some consumers stopped paying for services. “This affected operational including accrued electricity bills, delayed staff salaries and operation and maintenance of pipeline network.
The company has challenges of paying for electricity and has seen KPLC cut off power often. However Kajiado Water and Irrigation CEC Member, Michael Semera (former) said the company has electricity arrears due to reluctant by customers affected by Covid-19 to pay for water bills.
The company revenues from operating activities in the year 2019/2020 reduced marginally by 16%
He said the county government has allocated sh 13 million to help in setting up solar system to reduce electricity bills.
Semera also defended the company on nonpayment of rent arrears, he said the company has no issue with the landlord in Isalu building where its HQ is based and it will move to its new premises under construction along Gataka road.
However some sources had indicated the landlord had been demanding for rent arrears and has several times closed doors to demand the company to clear the arrears before they move out.
Country Secretary Francis Sakuda said the company should change tactics to get more revenue it should invest in getting more water.
The company will generate more than Kshs 10 million per month from Ngong SGR Tunnel -Kimuka Water supply, it will deliver 150m3 per hour to customers.
The residents will also benefit from ongoing Nairobi Satellite Towns Water and Sanitation Development Programme , 10 new boreholes will be drilled , rehabilitation of 6 existing boreholes, construction of 205 kilometers of pipelines , construction of 3 new storage tanks to provide additional 7,500m3 per day.
In Covid-19 emergency programme through Nairobi Metropolitan Services 5 new boreholes were drilled with elevated water tanks and pipeline extensions was done. This will provide additional 950m3 per day.
The company through funding from World Bank under Ministry of Water has done feasibility study and designs for the construction of Ngong Hills Springs to have water supply and additional 7,220m3 per day to serve 72,200 people in Ngong and Matasia areas.
There are proposals for Kerarapon springs to also avail additional water; the company is consulting with the ministry and Athi Water Works Development Agency.
The outgoing board chair Patrick Mugo said the company intends to pursue investment in sewerage projects in the Ngong Municipality these will require an estimated of over Ksh 5 billion.
During the AGM the members ratified appointment of new board of directors, they are The board consist of Meshack Ngare Ondieki, Patrick Githaiga, Joan Mithian, Purity Shimaloi and Kaakua Julius.