The Environment and Land Court in Eldoret has issued orders restraining Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company Limited (ELDOWAS) from disconnecting the meters of its customers.
The orders issued by Justice Jane Onyango will remain in force pending the hearing and determination of a case challenging ELDOWAS’s decision to increase water tariff charges.
A section of Eldoret residents moved to court to challenge the tariff increase, arguing the decision was made without proper public participation.
ELDOWAS and the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) are listed as respondents in the case filed by Kipkorir Arap Menjo and David Kipkulei Chebet on behalf of the Eldoret Residents Association.
In the same orders issued on November 21, 2024, the court gave the respondents “seven days to file their Replying Affidavit” while granting the applicants “leave to file a further affidavit within three days.”
Petitioners, in filing the case had raised concerns about imminent disconnection of their water services, prompting the court to issue temporary orders to ensure no action is taken until the matter is fully resolved.
Justice Onyango also emphasized the importance of complying with the court’s directives, noting that “any disobedience or non-observance of the order of the court served herewith will result in penal consequences to you and any other person(s) disobeying and not observing the same.”
The next mention of the case is scheduled for December 3, 2024.
Eldoret: Uproar over high water bill
Eldoret locals have been up in arms over what they described as an abnormal water bill following the upward review of the water tariff.
The new rates were to take effect from November 1, 2024.
But even as the residents moved to court, Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim had hinted that his administration would review the controversial tariff downwards.
ELDOWAS is a company fully owned by the County Government of Uasin Gishu.
It’s mandated to provide water as well as sewerage services within the Eldoret City.
Relief to Eldoret Locals as County Announces Plan to Lower Controversial Water Tarrif
