The recent spike in vandalism of water infrastructure in parts of Murang’a East Sub County has frustrated efforts by a local water firm to increase water connections. For a period of one year, vandalism has left Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (Muwasco) counting losses amounting to more than Sh1.4 million. The company’s managing Director, Engineer Daniel Nganga, has said Muwasco plans to connect water to more than 6, 000 households before the end of this year, but the plans are rocked by vandalism challenges. He noted vandals are targeting metallic water metres, air valves, and pipes, thus subjecting the company to huge losses. Areas mostly affected by the vandalism of water infrastructure include Muchungucha, Kabuta, Ndikwe, and Mwirwa. The director, who spoke during the launch of a water project in parts of Muragua, said they have engaged a multi-agency team to help check the vandalism. ‘As the company aims to reach and serve more people in this county, there is a need to come up with measures for dealing with vandalism. We have engaged officers from the Interior Ministry, members of the community, and police, among other stakeholders, to help in sensitising on the protection of water infrastructure,’ he said. Ngang’a said vandalism has led some areas to go without water for days, saying members of the community should own the water infrastructure by protecting it from vandals. ‘The water serves the community, and we are sensitising members of the public so that they perceive that water infrastructure, including pipes and metres, among other equipment, are meant to serve them, and once there is vandalism, this cuts water supply,’ he remarked. Already, the company, together with other stakeholders, have held public barazas in various areas to sensitise the locals on the importance of protecting water infrastructure. During the barazas, increased cases of abuse of alcohol and drugs can be cited as one of the factors causing a spike in vandalism. A section of local residents argue that those perpetuating the crime are trying to sell metallic water metres to scrap metal dealers to get money for alcohol. Ng’ang’a said the company has come up with a programme to reward people who will volunteer valuable information of those behind the vandalism. He asked the locals to report to local police stations, saying the move will help curb criminal activity and ensure residents could access water without interruptions. Meanwhile, Ng’ang’a said by the end of this year, they are targeting to have more than 6, 000 new water connections, which will serve a population of close to 20, 000 people. Currently, Muwasco has water connections exceeding 17, 000, with the firm aiming to increase water coverage after the majority of its shares were transferred to county administration, thus giving the county government a legal framework to channel resources to the water company.
Source: Kenya News Agency