This archive report was first published on 29 August 2021.
On August 29, 2021, Kakamega residents were left frustrated after being informed of a new sewer levy by Kakamega County Water and Sanitation Company (KCWASCO).
Many consumers were unaware of the new charge, with no prior communication from the company.
Those who visited the KCWASCO Customer Care desk seeking answers were directed to speak with the manager, Iddi Osundwa, who was unavailable at the time.
Osundwa later explained that the decision to charge all water consumers within the sewer network was a management decision.
However, many residents disputed this, claiming they were not connected to the sewer line and therefore should be exempt from paying the charges.
David Shimoli, a resident, expressed his outrage, stating, "This is corruption. There is no plausible reason for this. I use a septic tank in my home at Amalemba estate, and nobody has the right to ask me to pay sewer charges."
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, also claimed that her house had no connection to the sewer line.
Customer care desk clerks advised complainants to pay the sewer charges to avoid having their water supply disconnected and facing a Sh500 re-connection fee.
The sewer charges ranged between Sh203 and Sh354.
Despite the assurances that the money charged for the sewer connection would be credited to their water bills, many residents remained unconvinced.
