Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has banned the sale of salty water in the county.
He said the ban followed reports consumers have been forced to take salty water amid an acute shortage of fresh water.
The governor directed private borehole owners and water merchants to desalinate the water before sale.
"Vendors who fail tests of water purity will not be issued licences.
They must put measures in place to ensure the water being sold is clean and fresh."
The county on Friday awarded proprietors of community water projects that were deemed reliable in supplying water to their members.
The new order could push the prices of water in Kitengela and Kajiado towns higher considering that salty water is cheaper.
It could also
put the county water department on the spot because vendors could cut off supply citing inability to buy the purification equipment.
Lenku, in his statement, directed
the county water CEC Florence Waiganjo to immediately hold consultations with the relevant stakeholders on prices.
"The adherence
to this order will also include a discussion on capping of prices. We shall not allow
exploitation of consumers by water merchants."
"The cost of fresh water should remain the same. We cannot trade with the health of our people," the governor said.
During the awards ceremony, Entalala water project from Rombo and Ole Polos water project from Kajiado West were declared the best managed.