Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Thursday, October 4, dared Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria to make good his threat to shutdown water supply to the capital city. Sonko made the remarks during the opening of Nairobi Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) show where he charged that Nairobi county fully procured Ndakaini Dam hosted in Murang’a
The remarks come in the wake of a heated water war where Wa Iria has demanded the government to pay Murang’a KSh 2 billion annually for water it draws from the dam. “Nairobi County has full ownership of Ndakaini Dam and we have a title deed to it. However, our main source of water is Chania river and also the Aberdare hills which are in Nyandarua county,” said Sonko.
Murang’a, the Nairobi governor added, was just a host of the Ndakaini Dam. The only governors who can claim compensation for the water, Sonko said, were Nyeri and Nyandarua’s since the water originated from their areas of jurisdiction. He called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to rein in on the situation claiming leaders from Murang’a had politicised the issue which they were using to seek political mileage. Sonko also alleged that he was aware of several buildings in Nairobi erected on road reserves by governor Wa Iria.
Wa Iria eyes taking control of water companies in Murang’a. This attempt has seen him receiving a lashing from the national government which has asked him to act swiftly on the escalating issue as he is overstepping his mandate. Water CS Simon Chelugui on Tuesday, October 2, described Wa Iria as hardheaded claiming he had snubbed all meetings aimed at resolving the water stand-off. Chelugui also castigated the governor for what he termed as rallying citizens against the government by asking them not to pay their water bills
Murang’a county leadership has, however, vowed not to relent on its quest to protect its resources even if it involves armed warfare.