ELDOWAS:Choking under debts and stalled projects?
-The committee FURTHER demanded the company to expose politicians and other top state officials owing it over Sh 396 Million-
Image Courtesy
Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company Limited (ELDOWAS) entrusted with the vital responsibility of efficiently providing water and sanitation services in Eldoret and its Environs has been choking under debts of over Ksh 300M
In the recent past the corporate entity established in 1997 with its operations regulated by the Water Service Regulatory Board(WASREB),has been on the spot for incompetence .
A few months ago the Senate’s Public Investments and Special Funds committee chaired by Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga), questioned why ELDOWAS board had failed to secure ownership documents to safeguard more than 65 hectares of land belonging to the firm.
According to the Auditor general’s report for the FY 2021/2022 the company at the time had the following other outstanding loans: Expansion of Chebara Treatment plant Ksh.285,733,550, Lessos water supply Ksh 192,634,510 and Ellegirini/Kapsoya water supply- Ksh. 550,000,000.
The committee FURTHER demanded the company to expose politicians and other top state officials owing it over Sh 396 Million.
A report by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu for the 2020-21 financial year says the company failed to include in its list of assets, some eight parcels of land which were transferred to it from the defunct Eldoret Municipality.
The company has also been faced with accusations of stalled Multimillion projects in Elgeyo Marakwet County, which include Chebara Boys and Chebara Girls secondary schools, Chebara and Kaptomut primary schools, Chebara Vocational Training Centre and Chebara African Inland Church.
The Construction of the multi-million shilling projects was expected to start in 2012 and completed by January 2014 after the state released Ksh700 million through the Ministry of Water and Irrigation.
The Water company continues to struggle with Non-Revenue Water (NRW) which has now reduced from 42.1% in 2021 to the current 35.7%.
“the efforts are attributed to the current effort on awareness and deterrence strategies of illegal connection and prompt response to leakages and bursts. Customers and residents have reported many cases to the Company” Noted the managing director Peter Biwott in a statement
Despite the efforts, the Non-Revenue Water (NRW) is over and above the threshold of 25% recommended by the Water Service Regulatory Board (WASREB) guidelines.
The company invested Kshs. 1,925,000 in the Linda Maji Mtaani Campaign for a period of 18 months with specific investments directed to campaign collaterals, transportation, media coverage, sponsored advertisements, a band, a caravan, and permits over the three phases of Linda maji program aimed among other things reducing the Non-Revenue Water.
Eldoret town continues to face a Water shortage of about 13,000rn3/day.
About Author
