Eldoret: Eldoret residents have expressed outrage following a ruling by the Environment and Land Court, which struck out their petition against new water tariffs introduced by Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS). The court dismissed the case, citing lack of jurisdiction, effectively clearing the way for a 300 percent increase in water charges.
According to Kenya News Agency, residents led by Kipkorir Menjo vowed to appeal the decision, saying the ruling would make life and business in Uasin Gishu County unbearable. Menjo emphasized that the increase would particularly affect car wash owners and make the city costly. He argued that the sharp tariff hike was unjustified since the water supplied to Eldoret flows by gravity and capital projects should be funded through loans, rather than overburdening consumers.
Menjo urged residents to attend a meeting scheduled for Tuesday next week to mobilize funds to sustain their push against the tariff hike. Consumers' lawyer, Mathai Maina, announced plans to file an application for stay of execution to stop the tariff implementation, insisting on securing fair and affordable tariffs for Eldoret residents.
Abubakar Bini, chairperson of the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) North Rift region, condemned the ruling and called on President William Ruto's administration to intervene, warning that the increase could lead to health issues as residents might resort to unsafe water sources.
Flora Chemweno, a resident, highlighted that water sourced from Elgeyo Marakwet should not incur high charges. Nelson Kiprono, another resident, described the ruling as a blow to public interest, appealing to local leaders to intervene. The dispute traces back to a Kenya Gazette Notice from October 2024, approving tariff adjustments following a stakeholder meeting.
Justice Emmanuel Washe had previously halted tariff implementation pending a full hearing, but last week's ruling allows the contested tariffs to take effect unless successfully appealed. Residents remain determined to challenge the tariffs until ELDOWAS agrees to a fair structure.