Eldoret Residents Protest Massive Water Tariff Hike, Demand Reversal and Accountability
Huruma Ward MCA Wakili Kimani Wanjohi
Eldoret residents are up in arms after the Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS) recently imposed a steep 300% increase in water tariffs, dramatically raising household bills. Many residents, whose monthly bills have more than tripled, have voiced concerns that the new rates are unjust and undermine their constitutional right to accessible, affordable water. This controversy comes just months after Eldoret attained city status on August 15, 2024, becoming Kenya’s fifth city. Instead of experiencing service improvements, residents say the hike places an undue financial burden on them.
Kimani Wanjohi, the Member of County Assembly (MCA) for Huruma Ward, has taken a strong stance against ELDOWAS, giving the company a two-week ultimatum to reverse the tariff increase. “The MD, Peter Biwott, found a thriving water company before he plundered it to its deathbed,” Wanjohi said, referring to allegations of mismanagement by Biwott, who formerly held the position of managing director at ELDOWAS. “Now, in an effort to recover from this, the company has passed the burden of its own failures onto residents through a massive 300% increase. This is unacceptable, and the MD should face the consequences,” he asserted. Wanjohi further urged residents to refrain from paying the “abnormal” bills until ELDOWAS addresses their concerns transparently.
In his appeal, Wanjohi emphasized the financial strain on households already grappling with a rising cost of living, adding that he would lead a peaceful protest to occupy ELDOWAS offices if the company did not comply with the demands to roll back the tariffs. “If they continue to ignore our voices, we will make them hear us,” he vowed. “We will stand together until this exploitative tariff is reversed.”
The tariff increase has also raised questions about ELDOWAS’s transparency. Some residents allege that the company bypassed proper public consultation in its decision-making process, bringing in supporters from outlying areas to artificially inflate backing for the proposal. HubzMedia’s recent investigation revealed that residents previously paying around Ksh 600 are now facing monthly bills close to Ksh 2,500, while those with bills of about Ksh 1,000 are being charged nearly Ksh 5,000 under the new rates.
Kipkorir Menjo, a prominent leader in the Eldoret Residents Association, has proposed legal action against ELDOWAS, asserting that the company neglected to engage in meaningful public participation before implementing the rate hike. In a Facebook post, Menjo expressed disbelief at the scale of the increase: “Chebara Dam is our main water source, and it supplies water through gravity. How, then, can the tariff justify a 300% increase?” Menjo also questioned the oversight role of the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB), calling for an inquiry into the reasons behind the hike. “WASREB must also answer some hard questions regarding this adjustment. We are calling for transparency and justice.”
Menjo announced a public meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 13, at Highlands Inn, where residents are encouraged to bring their water bills and sign a petition for potential legal action. Menjo invoked the late Kenyan playwright Prof. Francis Imbuga’s words to rally community support: “When the madness of an entire nation disturbs a solitary mind, it’s not enough to say the man is mad.” His call to action highlights the growing frustration among Eldoret residents, who feel marginalized in a decision that profoundly impacts their daily lives.
Social media forums are buzzing with personal accounts from affected residents, who share the hardship caused by the higher water bills. Former ELDOWAS management is also facing accusations, with claims that ex-MD Peter Biwott’s alleged financial mismanagement destabilized the company’s finances. Reports suggest that an Auditor General’s report may have pointed out significant irregularities during Biwott’s tenure, with residents questioning why they should bear the financial burden of past mismanagement.
As the community gathers at Highlands Inn, the meeting is expected to serve as a rallying point for transparency and accountability, as well as a platform for residents to voice their grievances. Menjo’s public appeal has garnered strong support from local leaders and residents who are seeking a resolution to the ongoing water crisis.
With tensions running high and the community uniting against the tariff hike, the future of ELDOWAS and the contentious new rates remain uncertain. Residents are calling for swift action to address their concerns, insisting that the promise of city status must also mean fair and affordable access to essential services.
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