A former councilor in Uasin Gishu County is among a group of individuals being investigated for illegally using water from the Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (Eldowas).
Eldowas recently set up an enforcement unit to address illegal water connection that has been contributing to a loss of over 18 million liters of water, daily, leading to a shortage of water in several estates across the town.
According to the company’s Managing Director Peter Biwott, they have identified individuals and companies involved in water theft through illegal connections and will soon name and shame them.
He also named school heads and police stations as other entities known to be involved in water theft.
“I am fighting for these women and the vulnerable to get access to water and that is why we are willing to go to any length to ensure the water that is being stolen is returned to our system to benefit the people,” said Biwott, on the sidelines of a football tournament organized by the company to sensitize people on need to protect water.
“For example, there is a very prominent person, a former councilor who has had a culture of stealing water and these are the people will be naming and shaming,” he added.
Eldowas produces over 43 million liters of water out of which 18 million is lost due to among others illegal water connections.
The company is now warning that individuals and companies found involved in illegally using its waters will face the full force of the law.
“Whether you are a company or individual, you must pay the penalty and also face the law to ensure we bring the 18 million liters of water into the right channel. We are very determined to restore sanity,” noted the Eldowas MD.
Eldowas recently rolled out an initiative dubbed ‘Linda Maji Mtaani’ that seeks to engage members of the public on the need to use water in the right way and avoid wastage.
Currently, Eldoret has a water demand of 60 million liters of water per day, but only 43 million liters are produced daily, meaning there is a shortage of 17 million liters on a daily basis.
