A school head has been arrested in an ongoing operation on illegal water connections in Garissa.
The arrest comes only a few days after Water and Sanitation Principal Secretary Paul Rono toured the county.
The school head and an administrator are currently being held in police custody pending arraignment in court.
A police report states that the water supply to a learning institution had been disconnected over a bill of Sh308,582 but was connected illegally.
The operation was conducted by officers from the unit and led by Garissa CIPU commander Charles Kiprono.
Speaking when he launched the operation, the PS warned that the government will deal ruthlessly with those destroying water pipes and diverting water to their businesses.
He directed the county commissioner and security officers to arrest individuals using illegal water connections denying the county water revenue.
"I want to warn all the water bowsers getting water illegally that their time is over. We will not strive as national government to provide resources which go to waste," Rono said.
Garissa town has for a while now faced water shortage occasioned by the destruction of water pipes and diversion of water by water cartels.
The cartels then in turn sell the water to residents at exorbitant fees.
Rono also launched several water projects in Balambala, Garissa town and Lagdera subcounties.
"It is surprising that there are more water bowsers in Garissa than the matatus. That tells you that there is a big problem in this county," he said.
He urged individuals selling water to get it legally and ensure that it is clean and safe for human consumption.
Rono said Garissa was only getting 30,000 cubic meters of water per day despite having a demand of 63,000 cubic meters.
"It is ridiculous that there is no water in Garissa when there is Tana River here and the government has invested heavily to provide water because a few people are destroying the infrastructure while others are refusing to pay for water," he said.
