This archive report was first published on 12 July 2019.
Embu Water and Sanitation Company (Ewasco) is calling on the Judiciary to impose harsher penalties on water thieves to curb the vice.
According to Ewasco Managing Director Hamilton Karugendo, the company incurs losses of approximately Sh8 million annually due to theft of treated water supplied to consumers.
Speaking during a press conference on Thursday, Karugendo stated that thieves make illegal connections or remove meters to evade charges for water consumed.
He noted that the company is unable to effectively supply drinking water to consumers on the lower side of the county due to illegal connections and water theft.
“You have a case where someone used water worth Sh100,000 but is slapped with a paltry fine of Sh5,000. What will prevent such a person from stealing the water again? The court should consider the company and residents’ welfare and impose serious fines to act as a deterrent to others,” Karugendo said.
He added that the law provides for fines of up to Sh2 million, but the courts have been lenient, allowing suspects to continue stealing water.
Embu County loses approximately 43.7% of treated water, with the bulk of it being stolen, especially in miraa-growing areas of Kiritiri, Muchonoke, and Gachoka.
Karugendo also announced that the company offers Sh5,000 rewards for whistle-blowers of water theft, but despite assuring confidentiality, people rarely report due to fear of reprisals from thieves.
He stated that the company recently disconnected over 200 illegal meters belonging to suspected water thieves.
Nationally, water loss is estimated at Sh7 billion, which could be reduced by half, allowing for approximately Sh3.5 billion to be re-invested in the industry to improve service delivery.
On a separate note, the Water Companies Sports Organisation (Wasco) games are scheduled to take place in Embu County from 20th to 24th next month.
