Residents and stakeholders have endorsed a proposal to review water tariffs for customers served by Kiambu Water and Sewerage Company Limited following a public consultation meeting convened by the Water Services Regulatory Board at ACK St. James Cathedral Church in Kiambu Town on Thursday.
The consultative forum, held in accordance with the Constitution and the Water Act, 2016, brought together officials from the Kiambu County Government, KIAWASCO, WASREB, Athi Water Works Development Agency, consumers and other stakeholders to deliberate on a proposed adjustment of water tariffs aimed at improving service delivery, expanding water coverage and ensuring the financial sustainability of the utility.
If approved by WASREB after the conclusion of the public participation process, the tariff for one cubic metre (1,000 litres) of water will rise from Sh70 to Sh91.
Speaking during the meeting, Kiambu County Executive Committee Member for Water, David Kuria, said the review was necessary because the current tariff, last reviewed several years ago, no longer reflects the prevailing economic realities and rising operational costs.
He noted that despite the proposed increase, Kiambu Water would remain among the most affordable water service providers in Kenya.
“We have been charging one of the lowest tariffs in the country while the cost of providing water has continued to rise. The proposed adjustment to Sh91 per 1,000 litres is still lower than what many water companies charge, where tariffs exceed Sh110 per unit,” Kuria said.
He explained that the additional revenue would enable the company to expand water infrastructure, improve the quality of supplied water and reduce the frequency of water rationing currently experienced in parts of Kiambu.
Kuria praised residents for actively participating in the consultation, saying the process demonstrated the importance of public involvement in decisions affecting essential services.
He emphasized that tariff adjustments cannot be implemented unilaterally but must undergo public participation and regulatory approval by WASREB.
The county executive also raised concerns over the licensing of private water service providers serving large private developments within areas already under existing public water utilities.
He argued that licensing independent providers in areas that can be adequately served by county water companies deprives public utilities of major revenue sources while leaving them to serve only low-income consumers.
Kuria said the county government plans to engage WASREB further on the matter, urging the regulator to halt the licensing of large private entities operating within the jurisdiction of existing water service providers.
“If this trend continues, it risks weakening and eventually crippling our public water companies by taking away their most viable customers,” he warned.
He also acknowledged the growing environmental challenges associated with Kiambu’s rapid urbanisation, noting that inadequate sewerage infrastructure and illegal wastewater disposal continue to threaten public health.
According to Kuria, the county government is investing in expanding sewer networks and developing additional water sources to meet the demands of the increasing population.
KIAWASCO Board Chairman Thomas Kimari Kamau said the public consultation marked an important milestone in the tariff review process.
He noted that the existing tariff has remained at Sh70 for several years despite increasing operational expenses and inflation.
“We have had fruitful discussions with our shareholders, consumers and stakeholders, and we are pleased that there has been support for the proposed tariff adjustment,” Kamau said.
He added that even after the proposed increase, Kiambu Water would remain among the least expensive water service providers in Kiambu County, with several neighbouring utilities charging over Sh120 per unit.
Kamau said the company plans to increase water production by harnessing additional supplies from the Karimenu and Ruiru II water projects, which are expected to significantly improve water availability and coverage.
He further said the utility hopes the revised tariffs will strengthen its revenue base, enabling it to finance infrastructure development and attract additional partnerships to fund major capital projects.
Among the biggest challenges facing the company, he cited inadequate water sources and limited financial resources needed to expand water and sewerage infrastructure.
KIAWASCO Managing Director Boniface Mbugua said the tariff review is essential to sustaining water services and extending coverage to underserved areas.
He observed that the company’s current tariffs, last reviewed in 2021, are insufficient to fully recover operational costs.
“The public has given us valuable feedback and we appreciate their support. Once the tariffs receive regulatory approval, we shall be better positioned to sustain operations and expand services to areas that are currently not connected,” Mbugua said.
He revealed that KIAWASCO’s service coverage remains below full county demand, leaving some residents without access to piped water.
On water rationing, Mbugua said the shortage is mainly caused by inadequate water sources.
He disclosed that the company is working with the Athi Water Works Development Agency to secure additional supplies from the Karimenu and Northern Collector systems while pushing for the completion of the stalled Ruiru II Water Project.
According to him, the additional water sources are expected to significantly reduce rationing and improve reliability of supply in the short and medium term.
Mbugua also addressed concerns regarding water services in Kiambu Town, explaining that some areas are currently served by the privately operated Kiambu Water Project.
He said KIAWASCO intends to supply bulk water to the project while maintaining oversight to ensure customers receive services that meet regulatory standards.
Speaking on behalf of WASREB, Tariff Officer Albert Onyango said the public consultation forms part of a statutory requirement under Article 10 of the Constitution and Sections 87 and 139 of the Water Act, 2016, which require stakeholder engagement before approval of any tariff review.
He said the tariff review process began about six months ago when KIAWASCO submitted its application after obtaining a letter of no objection from the Kiambu County Government.
According to Onyango, WASREB subsequently scrutinised the proposal, negotiated the removal of unnecessary costs and arrived at the revised tariff proposal presented to stakeholders.
He noted that public consultation officially commenced on June 16 and will remain open until July 15, giving residents who did not attend the meeting an opportunity to submit written or electronic comments before a final determination is made.
Onyango said the proposed tariff adjustment is intended to help increase water access, improve service reliability, replace ageing infrastructure and support Kenya’s Vision 2030 and Sustainable Development Goal Six on universal access to safe water.
He disclosed that KIAWASCO currently serves about 86 per cent of households within its service area, leaving approximately 14 per cent without piped water.
Responding to concerns over licensing private water providers in gated communities such as Tatu City, Migaa, Northlands and Tilisi, Onyango clarified that WASREB only issues licences after receiving formal approval from the respective county government.
He explained that under the Constitution, water service provision is a devolved function, meaning county governments determine service areas and recommend licensing arrangements before regulatory approval is granted.
The consultation formed part of WASREB’s nationwide tariff review programme involving Kiambu Water and Sewerage Company Limited, Kisii Water and Sanitation PLC and Murugi-Mugumango Water Society, with the regulator seeking public views before making final decisions on the proposed adjustments.
