The Water Resources Authority (WASREB), on Wednesday, February 1, implemented new water levies, projected to cause 10 times increase in the commodity's price.
Water charges will rise from 50 cents to Ksh5 for every 1,000 litres of water sold to consumers.
According to the ministry, the levies would also affect water used for irrigation, fish farming, and commercial or industrial use.
Implementation of the levies, according to some investors in the water sector, would lead to huge losses and force some vendors to shut down their businesses.
On Thursday, February 2, representatives of investors in Kiambu protested the implementation, stating that the move would increase the cost of living in urban areas.
“We will lose our jobs because if we were previously paying Ksh10,000 for water, ten times that amount will be too much to raise.
“There is no company or business sector that can endure a ten-time increase. Kenyans will suffer because of those charges,” the businessmen lamented.
Investors appealed to Water Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome to delay the implementation of the regulations to allow for further deliberations.
“The community of water projects groups should have a sit down with the CS to find alternative solutions that will not hurt both Kenyans and individuals in the sector,” the representatives stated.
Increased levies are among the many changes the government announced in the sector as part of its plan to invest in water projects across the country.
President William Ruto on September 29, 2022, announced plans to enter into water purchase agreements with private firms.
The invitation to private investors to partner with the government in building multi-billion water projects after which the developers would be allowed to charge slightly higher rates to recover their investment.
