The announcement that water companies in Kilifi County are set to be merged to form one giant water company has elicited divided reactions among stakeholders and residents in the county.
Kilifi county Executive Committee Member for Water, Forestry, Environment, and Natural Resources, Kiringi Mwachitu on Tuesday, announced that Kilifi-Mariakani Water and Sewerage Company (KIMAWASCO) and Malindi Water and Sewerage Company (MAWASCO), will be merged to enhance proper governing of water issues in the county.
Speaking during the MAWASCO 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Malindi, Mwachitu said that water stakeholders and residents will be involved before the new move is effected.
"Merging of the two water companies has nothing to do with water shortages in the county. Continuous water problems are due to the bulk system at Baricho water station,” he said.
He further said that merging of KIWASCO and MAWASCO would reduce unnecessary costs that the water companies have been experiencing.
“We found out that there are disparities in the tariffs the two companies have. The people of Malindi are paying differently from the people of Kilifi and Mariakani despite being from the same county and paying for the same commodity,” he added.
Philip Charo, a resident, and a tourism stakeholder said that merging the two companies will not be effective, adding that one company cannot serve all the big towns of the vast Kilifi county.
Charo said, “we want a proper survey to be conducted before a final decision of coming up with one water company is reached. Most of the towns in this county are tourists and cannot afford to go without water.”
On his part, Famau wa Famau, a resident said that it is a good idea to merge the two water companies for it will help in restoring continuous water crises in the county.
Baricho water station also supplies water to the neighbouring Mombasa county.
#hivisasaoriginal