The Mountain Journal
The protracted dispute over the proposed boundary review between two water service providers in Murang’a has taken a new twist, with a demand to establish whether the County Government has submitted a memorandum to Wasreb on the matter.
This followed major protests by residents in a section of Maragua, who petitioned the county government to justify allowing another service provider into a gazetted area of another firm.
The water committee at the County Assembly summoned the managements of Murang’a Water (Muwasco), Murang’a South Water (Muswasco) and the County Water CEC Eng Mary Magochi next week to shed light on their ability to supply water in their areas of operation. The residents in Nginda, Ichagaki, Kamahuha, Maragua Ridge, and Kambiti have 30 days from February 17 to submit their views to Wasreb.
The Water Committee Chaired by Margaret Kang’ata ordered the managements of the two service providers to provide details pertaining to their strengths and ability to ensure the residents in their areas will have access to water.
“ The assembly wants to know how the boundary issues can be resolved as it has been existing for a long time and if entertained would lead to unsolved issues in the future,” said Ms Kang’ata, the Wangu MCA.
Ithanga MCA Alex Ndunda said the crises in the water sector should be resolved as Thika Water Company in Kiambu has encroached Thika Greens and Githingiri areas, which should be served by Gatanga Water and Sanitation Company.
“ It is the highest time the executive moved to deal with the emerging challenges in the water sector, without antagonizing any party, as there is a claim that Muswasco has been targeted to lose its larger part to Muwasco after its management objected to transfer its ownership to the county government,” he said.
Kahumbu MCA Chefman Njoroge said the best way to resolve the crisis will be through inviting the warring parties to explain achievements and challenges experienced in their service delivery in their areas of operations.
“ It’s pathetic that in my Kahumbu ward like many other wards the locals are only interested in having access to water, without details of the provider,” said Njoroge.
The CEC said the boundary dispute had been raging between the two for a long time and the former administration was unable to resolve it.
“ There have been meetings convened by Waresb and attended by players and including the MCAs and presently residents in the affected areas asked to present their views within the 30 days,” she said.
