Muwasco waives Sh500,000 water bills for needy families

Murang'a Water and Sanitation Company has waived water bills worth Sh500,000 for vulnerable families.

The firm's director Daniel Ng'ang'a on Wednesday said many families are unable to clear their bills due to financial constraints. He said the company cleared the bills as a Christmas gift.

The company, he said, has a pro-poor people policy whereby they connect families in informal settlements after which they pay for the connection over time.

In areas such as Gaturi ward and Mjini slums in Murang’a town, the firm has established water kiosks that sell water at Sh2 per 20-litre jerry can to residents.

Ng'ang'a spoke at Muwasco's offices when the firm donated foodstuff to more than 200 vulnerable families.

The donations were in partnership with Wairagu wa Mai Foundation.

The families also got blankets and 50 water tanks to help conserve rain water.

"These families will be able to take advantage of the rains and reduce their water bills," Ng'ang'a said.

"We have only been able to do this because of the support we continue to receive from our clients."

Ng'ang'a said the needy families were identified with the help of local administrators.

He said the exercise is part of the firm's Corporate Social Responsibility.

"Most of the families we have shared with today are the elderly and the extremely poor," he said.

Ng'ang'a also said that the firm has been able to streamline its reticulation system that has made its water supply efficient.

This has in turn enabled the firm to supply water to 96 per cent of its jurisdiction while sewerage services have been offered up to 50 per cent.

With enhanced rapport with residents, the company has been able to reduce cases of vandalism.

It has also managed to reduce its non-revenue water to 23 per cent by using the Nyumba Kumi Initiative to ensure cases of illegal connections are reported.

Wairagu Wa Mai Foundation's CEO Lincoln Kariuki on his part said the organisation has supported more than 30,000 people with foodstuff this month alone.

He said the organisation's aim is to alleviate extreme poverty by providing them with food for the Christmas season.

One of the beneficiaries, Mercy Nyambura, could not hide her joy after she was told that her water bill of Sh7,000 had been waived.

Nyambura, who lives with her daughter, said she is unable to pay the bills and that they are forced to fetch water from the river after it was disconnected.

"We used to pay when we could but it has become extremely difficult," she said, thanking the company for the donations.

Agnes Wairimu, a single mother of five, said the blankets she received will go a long way in keeping her children warm.

"I did not know what to do to provide my children with a proper Christmas, but am happy that my struggle has been alleviated," she said.

(edited by Amol Awuor)