ELDOWAS Temporarily Halts Operations at Kesses Water Treatment Plant After Reported Chemical Spill
Results from this monitoring exercise will give guidance on the next course of action once the nature of the spilled substance is confirmed.
According to the Company, the step was out of mere caution and quite necessary to ensure that the water is safe.
By Ruth Sang
The Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (Eldowas) has announced the shutdown of the Kesses Water Treatment Plant as a safety precaution following reports of a chemical spill in the river system that feeds the facility. The company issued the alert on November 21, 2025, confirming the incident occurred upstream in the Matharu area of Tarakwa Ward, within Timboroa Location.
According to information gathered from witnesses, a lorry carrying a white industrial substance and headed toward the Democratic Republic of Congo overturned, spilling the material into the River Kipkarren–Bindura–Kesses. This river supplies water directly into Kesses Dam, which forms the main supply for Kesses Water Treatment Plant. Since the river forms an essential part of the upstream catchment area, the spill gave rise to immediate concern over possible contamination of the raw water entering the system.
In its statement, ELDOWAS reiterated that its assurance of public health was of utmost importance in its communication. The company has therefore affected two interventions immediately. The first one was the temporary closure of the Kesses Water Treatment Plant to ensure that polluted water does not reach the treatment lines before the chemical involved is positively identified. According to the Company, the step was out of mere caution and quite necessary to ensure that the water is safe.
Secondly, ELDOWAS has deployed a water quality surveillance team for urgent testing along the river. The team was instructed to conduct sampling both upstream and downstream of the stretch affected, as well as within Kesses Dam, to help determine the level and extent of contamination. Results from this monitoring exercise will give guidance on the next course of action once the nature of the spilled substance is confirmed.
Multi-agency response teams are still investigating the incident. Meanwhile, residents have been advised to stay cautious and to immediately report any unusual changes detected in nearby water sources, such as strange smells, abnormal coloration, or frothing. These alerts can be communicated through the company’s emergency contact channels.
ELDOWAS has thanked the customers for their patience during this time and has informed the public that more information will be provided through official communication channels as the situation unfolds. The water agency reassured its commitment to supplying safe drinking water while apologizing for the inconvenience caused by the shutdown as a precaution. Members of the public with inquiries may contact the company through email, mobile, landline, or toll-free telephone according to a statement issued by the Managing Director, Dr. Lawrence Tanui.
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