The Coast Water Service Board has maintained that it cannot reconnect water services in Mombasa County, due to unpaid bills.
This comes amid the current stand off between the Mombasa Water Service Board, Coast Water Service Board and the County Government of Mombasa concerning the settlement of a bulk water bill, that has seen the service disconnected in the county.
Addressing journalists on Friday in his Mombasa office, Coast Water Board CEO Joseph Omwange said the Mombasa water company had agreed to pay 45 million shillings a month since January to offset the debt, a pledge that they have not been able to service.
“So far the water company has remitted 15 million since January and that was paid in the month of March. Since then there has been a series of meetings but the payments have not been done,” said the CEO.
The board said they have been forced to disconnect the service since they are unable to meet the production cost which amounts to 35 million a month, as well as the treatment cost that amounts to 24 million per year.
“We are willing to negotiate on the payment so that the people of Mombasa can enjoy our services since water is a basic need. However, we can’t connect water that is untreated and pose health risks to the citizens. We urge the people concerned to pay up and enable us carry on serving Kenyans,” said Omwange.