Illegal water connections to attract Sh100,000 penalty- PS Rono

Any illegal water connection will attract a maximum penalty of Sh100,000, the government has said as it steps up the crackdown in 14 areas in informal settlements across Nairobi City.

Water and sanitation principal secretary Paul Rono who led the Ministry and Nairobi Water Company officials in an operation that saw illegal water connections cut in Kiamaiko in Nairobi said this is apart from criminal culpability.

Vandalism and destruction of critical infrastructure are some of the charges that he said will be preferred on those caught.

Calling on members of the public to report such cases, Rono also announced a reward to those who will volunteer information that will help the authorities will be offered.

“Let us report all these illegal connections and we shall work on mechanisms to reward you...if not on the first instance we shall ensure that you contribute to this agenda of bringing order in the management of water,” said Rono.

He added:

“We want to request all Kenyans to protect water infrastructure so that we can help serve our people with adequate clean water.”

The 100-day operation dubbed linda maji, lipa maji will be carried out in Nairobi before being cascaded to the counties.

Among the targeted areas in Nairobi are Githurai, Zimmerman, Kasarani, Mwiki, Huruma, Kariobangi, Huruma, Kayole, Mathare North and Imara Daima.

Nairobi, he stated, gets 560,000 meters cubic of water out of which half of it is lost through illegal connections.

Addressing the press, the PS said it was sad that the City residents were not getting water due to such illicit connections.

In the last two weeks, he noted that 100, 000 connections have been disconnected with notorious individuals having been arrested, fined and even charged in court.

In an operation conducted two weeks ago in Embakasi, some nine suspects were arrested with four being charged in court and fined.

A report by the Auditor General Nancy Gathungu showed that Nairobi loses Sh4.8 billion in unbilled water.

About 84 per cent of the total water supply to Nairobi residents is sourced from the Ndakaini dam.

Nairobi City Water Sewerage Company receives a supply of 525 million litres per day from the dam.