Murang'a Governor Mwangi Wairia launches a water point at Mjini slum, in Murang'a. [Photo/The Star]The High court sitting in Murang’a on Friday declined to suspend operations of a caretaker committee that was formed by the Murang’a county government to oversee the management of all local water companies in the county.
Justice Hatari Waweru said water is a devolved function and the county government has the mandate to get involved in the running of all water companies within its jurisdiction.
In October the water companies lodged a suit alleging the committee was constituted to interfere with their mandate and called for their disbandment.
Justice Waweru said the committee and the water boards can continue with their work until the petition filed by the boards is heard and determined.
Chairmen of the five water companies, Murang’a water, Murang’a South, Gatanga Community, Kahuti and Gatamathia Water and Sanitation companies had moved to court to protest over what they called “interference of their mandate by the caretaker committee”.
Waweru in his ruling said the gazette notice by Governor Mwangi wa Iria to notify the public of the appointment of a nine-man committee to manage the water sector was lawfully done.
The Court, however, allowed the nine-member committee to operate towards realising county government devolved functions in water resource and sanitation service.