Eldowas Agrees to Lower Water Tariffs After Talks With Residents
Under the newly negotiated Eldowas water tariff agreement, consumers in Band 1–6 will now pay approximately Ksh 84 per unit, down from the initial Ksh 136 per unit in the last one year.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim, flanked by Kipkorir Menjo, Eldowas management and board leadership, addresses the media after the signing of an agreement on revised water tariffs at Boma Inn Eldoret on Saturday.
By James Gitaka
Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (Eldowas) has agreed to reduce recently proposed water tariffs following negotiations with a section of Eldoret residents and consumers led by activist Kipkorir Menjo, bringing to an end a series of legal disputes that had challenged the controversial tariff hikes.
The breakthrough emerged during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Saturday, where residents, county leaders and the water company resolved to significantly lower the proposed tariffs that had triggered public outrage over what consumers described as an approximately 300 percent increase in water charges.
Before the proposed hike, Eldowas had been charging consumers in Band 1–6 Ksh 37 per unit. The water company later proposed an additional Ksh 93 increase, pushing the cost to about Ksh 130 per unit.
However, following negotiations, stakeholders agreed to reduce the proposed increase by half. Under the new agreement, consumers in Band 1–6 will now pay an additional Ksh 46.50 on top of the old tariff of Ksh 37, effectively translating to approximately Ksh 84 per unit.
The revised arrangement effectively lowers the proposed tariff increment from nearly 300 percent to about 100 percent.
The negotiations come weeks after the Water Services Regulatory Board directed Eldowas to revert to the old tariffs, citing inadequate public participation before the implementation of the sharp increase.
The development also follows conservatory orders issued by the Environment and Land Court stopping the enforcement of the new tariffs.
Justice Emanuel Washe issued the orders on March 25, 2025, in Peter Kimani Wanjoi vs. Eldowas & WASREB (Case No. ELCLPET/E010/2024), suspending Gazette Notice No. 12825 of October 4, 2024, which had announced the revised water and sewerage charges.
Following Saturday’s negotiations, parties involved in the disputes agreed to immediately withdraw all court cases related to the tariff hikes. However, the petition filed by Huruma Ward MCA Kimani Wanjohi remains active in court.
The parties further resolved to jointly submit their agreement to WASREB for amendment of the gazette notice that had earlier sanctioned the controversial tariff hikes.
The regulator is now expected to revise the gazette notice to reflect the newly agreed tariffs following the consensus reached between Eldowas and residents.
During the meeting, there were also proposals for Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim to issue an executive order waiving accrued water bills accumulated by some residents who had stopped making payments following various court orders and WASREB directives requiring the water company to revert to the old tariffs.
The proposal emerged after concerns were raised that Eldowas lacked the legal authority to independently waive pending bills that had accumulated after the controversial tariff hike imposed last year.
Speaking during the negotiations, Governor Bii said it had taken lengthy engagements and consultations to achieve an amicable solution between the water company and residents affected by the tariff hikes.
“The engagements have taken time because we wanted to ensure we arrive at a balanced solution that protects residents while also sustaining water services,” said the governor.
He noted that the county government was keen to ensure water tariffs imposed on consumers do not negatively affect businesses and livelihoods.
Governor Bii also challenged Eldowas to intensify environmental conservation efforts, particularly tree planting initiatives in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, where a significant portion of Eldoret’s water originates through the Chebara Dam water catchment area.
On his part, Kipkorir Menjo said although the negotiations did not fully eliminate the proposed increases, residents had considered the financial realities facing the water company.
“We listened to the concerns raised by Eldowas regarding ongoing and planned water projects funded through water levies. While residents wanted a bigger reduction, we also considered the need to support expansion and completion of critical infrastructure,” he said.
Eldowas Managing Director Dr. Lawrence Tanui admitted that the company had struggled to complete several water projects due to low tariffs and increasing levels of non-revenue water, which have continued to cause losses.
“The company has faced significant strain in financing key water infrastructure projects because of low revenue collection and water losses. However, we have heard the concerns of residents,” Tanui said.
He assured residents that future public participation forums would be more inclusive and targeted to ensure consumer views form part of key decisions before implementation.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Eldowas Board Chair David Sing’oei, who confirmed that an agreement had been reached to lower the tariffs.
“We have agreed on a revised figure that balances the interests of consumers and the operational needs of the company,” he said.
However, a section of residents and opinion leaders led by Harun Maina called for further public participation before the negotiated tariffs are formally adopted.
The group argued that broader consultations were necessary to accommodate the concerns of other categories of water consumers, including operators in the car wash business and other small enterprises heavily dependent on water services.
“There is a need for wider engagement so that all consumers, including business operators, can give their views before the tariffs are finalized,” said Maina.
The agreement is expected to pave the way for the resolution of the prolonged dispute that had sparked concern among thousands of Eldoret residents and businesses over the rising cost of water services.
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