Wasreb raise alarm on destruction of Othaya Mukurwe ini water office

The Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) has condemned the destruction of its property attached to the Othaya-Mukurwe-Ini water company in Nyeri.

The incident that happened on Friday last week resulted in the destruction of office property, equipment, and infrastructure.

Wednesday, the water regulator described the attack as unfortunate and called on law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation and bring the suspects to book.

In a statement sent to newsrooms, WASREB acting CEO Richard Cheruiyot urged stakeholders to embrace dialogue to address any concerns.

He challenged residents to report suspicious activities and vandalism to law enforcement.

“We call upon the relevant authorities to conduct thorough investigations and ensure that those responsible for these unlawful acts are held accountable. Additionally, we appeal to members of the public to report any illegal activities to the appropriate authorities and to refrain from violence or vandalism,” read the statement.

According to the regulator, the destruction of the equipment undermines the principles of governance, including the rule of law, sustainable development, and human rights, ultimately causing harm to water service consumers in Nyeri.

Wednesday, a section of residents also termed the destruction as backward and a major setback in efforts to improve access to clean and safe water.

Paul Mwai, a resident of Othaya, also condemned the incident, saying there is a need for an amicable solution to the disagreements over tariffs.

“We have to engage in dialogue and listen to one another instead of turning to destruction of property,” said Mwai, a water user in Othaya.

Similar attacks and vandalism have also affected the supply of clean water, compelling Murang’a South Water (Muswasco) to incur monstrous costs in repairs of the pipes that supply water to parts of Kahumbu, Mutheru, and Kamahuha in Kigumu, Kandara, and Maragua constituencies.