Water service firms in Nairobi must get licence by mid-May

ByKaburu Mugambi 22 April 2020 News, Water, Water Laws & Policy

It will be illegal to do water tanker business after 15 May 2020 without a licence from Water Services Regulatory Board. Sentence is a fine of up to Sh100,000 or a prison term of up to 12 months or both.

Small water service firms in Nairobi have a month to register their businesses. Water Services Regulatory Board has given a list of five firms who must get a licence. The last date is on 15 May 2020.

These firms are water tankers, exhausters, gated community water service firms and private boreholes. The board will also license water projects run by non-governmental companies.

Wasreb has given power to Athi Water Works Development Agency to register and watch the firms in Nairobi.

Why is licensing useful?

The board will make the firms obey set water service rules. It has set rules are on quality, cost and customer care. The rules also cover customers’ health and safety.

In addition, the board will use Water Vending Guideline it gave out earlier. The rules set quality of water given to Kenyans by all sellers. The board wants Kenyans to get quality water by licensing all water sellers.

Price for the crime

A person who gives water services without a licence from Wasreb breaks the law. The sentence is a fine of up to Sh100,000 or a prison term of up to 12 months or both.

The board said it will take to court those who will give water services without a licence after 15 May.

Wasreb, Athi Water Works Development Agency and Nairobi Metropolitan Service will be on watch the law is obeyed.