Higher water bills ahead! Eldoret court lifts freeze on Eldowas tariff hike
Justice E. M. Washe’s earlier injunction on 25 March 2025 had compelled ELDOWAS to revert to old billing rates while the case was pending.
Water flows steadily from a tap. Photo: Kemuma Achieng
Eldoret residents will have to dig deeper into their pockets after the Environment and Land Court gave the Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (ELDOWAS) the green light to roll out new water and sewerage tariffs.
In a ruling delivered on Tuesday, the court struck out Petition ELC E009 of 2024 – Kipkorir Menjo & David Chebet vs Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company & WASREB for being in contravention of the Water Act, noting that it lacked jurisdiction to hear and determine the case. The suspension orders issued in March this year, which had blocked the implementation of the new charges, were also lifted.
The decision clears the way for ELDOWAS to implement the tariff structure contained in Gazette Notice No. 12825 of 4 October 2024, which was approved by the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB). The new rates were originally set to take effect last year but were challenged in court by local residents who argued they were unaffordable and had been introduced without sufficient public participation.
Justice E. M. Washe’s earlier injunction on 25 March 2025 had compelled ELDOWAS to revert to old billing rates while the case was pending. With the petition now dismissed, the utility company is free to proceed with its phased rollout of higher tariffs in line with WASREB guidelines and customer notification procedures.
In a memo to staff seen by this publication, ELDOWAS Managing Director CPA Dr. Lawrence Tanui welcomed the ruling, saying it provided “the clarity needed to move forward.” He added that the company’s focus would remain on improving service delivery, expanding access and ensuring operational sustainability.
Customer-facing teams have been directed to reassure consumers that billing adjustments will follow the approved tariff structure and that the process will be transparent. Legal guidance is also being sought on accounts billed under mixed tariff periods during the injunction months.
The new tariffs are expected to increase monthly water bills for thousands of households and businesses across Eldoret, although ELDOWAS has pledged to reinvest the revenue in expanding infrastructure and improving service reliability.
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