Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu speaking recently at the county headquarters, went ahead to dissolve eight water companies in the county last week despite a court order barring any dissolution.
The country’s water services regulator has called a meeting over the dissolution of a water firm. Thika Water and Sewerage Company (Thiwasco) was one of eight companies that were dissolved early this year by the county government to form the Kiambu Water and Sewerage Company Limited (KWSCL).
The Water Services Regulatory Board (Wasreb), which sets the rules and enforces standards in the sector, is seeking public input after stakeholders in Thiwasco moved to court to protest its dissolution.
The High Court in Nairobi issued orders barring the Kiambu Government from merging the firms. Governor Ferdinand Waititu (pictured), however, went ahead and presided over a function where the companies were dissolved, and announced the creation of KWSCL.
In the same month, Wasreb had also taken out an advertisement questioning the legality of KWSCL as proposed by Mr Waititu. The communiqué indicated that while having the company would be the first step by the county to achieve its vision, it was important that legal and regulatory positions be clarified for consumer protection and sustainability of the water services sector.
The CEO noted that the Limuru, Kikuyu, Karuri, Ruiru Juja, Thika, Kiambu, Githunguri, and Gatundu water and sewerage companies continued to be listed as no winding up orders had been communicated to them.
“Consumers in the service areas of the companies above are therefore advised to continue obtaining services and paying bills to the respective companies,” said Gakubia. But the Wasreb boss also said the regulator supported the clustering of water companies to achieve economies of scale and facilitate sustainability in the provision of services.
Regulator seeks views on water firm’s demise: The country’s water services regulator has called a meeting over the dissolution of a water firm https://t.co/FUHDeLF9mi
— Breaking News (@News_Kenya) October 18, 2018