Water: Efforts to resolve dispute on water ownership underway

The Mountain Journal

editor@themountainjournal.co.ke

A strategy is being employed in Murang’a to resolve a dispute between a water company and Kinyona ward residents, following the continued destruction of main water pipes.

Murang’a County Secretary Dr Newton Mwangi said the dispute between Murang’a South Water( Muswasco) and Kinyona residents will be addressed to bring to an end the perennial dispute that led to the destruction of the water main line.

Mwangi flanked by water and irrigation CEC Eng Mary Magochi urged the Kinyona residents to allow the Muswasco employees to proceed with their work as a formula to help them access water for irrigation.

“Stop chasing away the water company employees as the county government has written to Wasreb seeking to revert Muswaso from the control of the national government to the county government,” said the county secretary. 

According to the water company, areas affected by the destruction of the main pipe include Kinyona, Gacharage, Kangari, Kigumo, Muthithi, Sabasaba, Maragua  and Kamahuha

In a public notice dated February 7, the county government has written to Wasreb requesting a reduction of water charges from 107 to 88 per cubic meter. 

It has also written to the Ministry of Water and Irrigation to complete the Kinyona irrigation project, and if the delay persists the county government will consider implementing a smaller-scale irrigation program in the next financial year. 

 In the past two weeks, the destruction of water pipes in Kinyona led to acute water shortage in parts of Kigumo, Kandara, and Maragua as the residents protested over high water charges and denial of water for irrigation.

Muswasco Managing Director Eng John Macharia said they have incurred a loss of millions of shillings to repair the destruction.

“We appreciate the involvement of the county government to help resolve the disagreement,” said Macharia.