This archive report was first published on 24 August 2021.
Kenya's water users are set to face higher bills following a government decision to increase regulatory charges on water companies.
The Ministry of Water, in collaboration with the World Bank, has raised the charges tenfold to cover the increasing costs of operation and maintenance.
The new regulations, published by Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki on August 20, 2021, have introduced a new water user charge structure.
Domestic water users will now pay Ksh5 per cubic metre, up from the previous Ksh50 cents, while livestock farming will also attract the same rate.
Commercial water use of over 300 cubic metres per day will be charged at Ksh6 per cubic metre, up from Ksh75 cents.
Additionally, water service providers will be required to contribute 70 percent of the Water Resource Authority's budget, up from the current 30 percent.
Any late water payments will attract an interest charge of 2 percent per month, and water providers will be required to install automated meters or face a 10 percent penalty of water used.
