Water users heads to court over squabbles

The Mountain Journal

The battle for control of the Sh1billion Maragua dam between Murang’a Water (Muwasco) and its rival Murang’a South (Muswasco) has intensified, with two water users heading to court.

The petitioners, Cecelia Wairimu and Peter Macharia have pleaded with the court to halt the intended take over by Muwasco on accounts held by Muswasco.

They argue that transfer of their accounts from Muswasco to Muwasco was failed to follow the right channels and was in bad faith.

In the petition before Justice James Wakiaga, the water users alleged there was no notice on the purported transfer of their accounts to the Murang’a town based service provider.

Through Karugu Mbugua advocates, the petitioners argue that customers at Muswasco have heavily invested in building water infrastructure and the sudden transfer is uncalled for, and unlawful.

The judge ordered the matter be mentioned on May 22 as the application dated April 25, certified urgent..

 The suit intensifies the squabbles between the two water companies, three months after President William Ruto issued an order for Muwasco to manage the Maragua dam.

Fight over the control of Maragua town water supply between the two service providers has been ongoing for the last four years.

Muswasco management claimed to have sought  for Sh 1billion for the construction of the  Maragua dam, as Muwasco said it had the capacity to manage it as it has already provided sufficient water coverage to Murang’a town and neighbouring localities.

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