Nakuru water feted for good service

FROM left to right- Nawassco commercial manager James Githairu, Nakuru County Chief Officer Water Eng. MARGARET KINYANJUI, NAWASSCO MD James Gachathi, Water CS Zachariah Njeru (center) and Nawassco board chairman Ernest Muibu. [Emmanuel Kipchumba, Standard]

Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company (Nawassco) has been feted by the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) for outstanding performance in service delivery in the water sector.

The water facility registered a score of 166 out of 200 points, in performance evaluation and ranking determined by a utility's performance across Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

The ranking was based on quality of service, economic efficiency, and operational sustainability.

Nyeri and Nanyuki took up the second and third positions with scores of 165 and 162 respectively.

Details merged at an event that culminated in the launch of the WASREB Impact Report edition 16 and the strategic plan 2023-2027.

The WASREB's impact report edition 16 noted that for the period under review, 2022-2023, the sector registered a slight improvement in the quality of service and operational sustainability.

The report notes that during the period, water coverage in the country showed an improvement of three percentage points rising from 62 per cent to 65 per cent in the regulated areas.

However, sewerage coverage remained stagnant at 16 per cent.

The strategic plan notes key strategic issues as sustainability of water services, gaps in access to water services, synergy with stakeholders, compliance with standards, and the capacity of WASREB.

The plan is anchored on five objectives which include ensuring the realization of the right to water services and streamlining water services provision in rural and underserved areas.

Others are to strengthen public accountability in water service provision, ensure compliance with established standards, and strengthen institutional capacity.

While speaking during the event, Zachariah Njeru, the cabinet secretary for water, irrigation and sanitation called on the water utilities in the country to aim for self-sufficiency.

This, he said, will alleviate the financial burden on the government.

"Achieving this can be accomplished by enhancing both technical and financial efficiency, making them creditworthy and eligible for blended financing. WASREB is already leading this effort with the help of development partners, offering limitless potential for utilities," said Njeru.

He urges the county governments to support the utilities in reviewing tariffs while ensuring accountability for the resources.

Job Chirchir, the WASREB board chairman, said the strategic plan is the is roadmap that will guide the water board in navigating the challenges and achieving the vision of a water-secure Kenya.

"The growing demand for water, coupled with the impacts of climate change, requires us to be more proactive and innovative in our approach," said Chirchir.