Mombasa: The County Government of Mombasa has intensified efforts to curb Non-Revenue Water (NRW), which currently stands at 60 percent, causing the Department of Water to lose nearly Sh100 million every month due to illegal water connections. The county has launched a 100-day crackdown targeting illegal water connections to reduce NRW from 60 percent to 30 percent within the next two years.
According to Kenya News Agency, Governor Abdulswamad Nassir revealed that Mombasa requires 200,000 cubic meters of water daily but only receives 40,000 cubic meters. Of this, about 20,000 cubic meters are lost through illegal connections and leakages along pipelines from Baricho in Kilifi County, as well as Marere and Tiwi in Kwale County. The public has been urged to provide information to the Department of Water as plans are underway for a free toll number where reports can be made anonymously and be rewarded.
The Governor stated that once the hotline is launched, the public will be able to provide information confidentially on a reward basis. If an offender is apprehended, the informant will receive a reward. He commended county officials for their efforts in the ongoing crackdown, which has so far been conducted in Changamwe, Kisauni, and Mvita, where 21 illegal connections in the houses of Senior County and National Government officials have been uncovered.
Governor Nassir has directed the County Secretary to take action against the County Officials involved. He further reiterated that he will not allow a few individuals to deny a whole locality access to water from the County Government. He emphasized that the goal is to increase water availability and address one of the highest NRW rates in the country.
The Governor equated the illegal connections to treason, highlighting that cutting people's access to water and selling it at exorbitant prices while the rest have no water is not about political expediency but about ensuring basic human rights. He stressed that the right to access water is going to be attained.