Nairobi water firm loses Sh10m in thefts

Wednesday, 20 April 2011 00:02 BY KERUBO LORNAH

THE Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company has lost Sh10 million through theft and vandalism at installations, the new Chairman Peter Kuguru has said.
Kuguru said that vandalism and theft had dealt a big blow to the company making it a big challenge for the company to achieve its goal of delivering good and clean water. “Vandalism and thefts at water installations is the major problem the water utility company was facing in achieving proper services to its customers,” he said.
He said that the company had, however, devised measures that will curb the problem by buying materials which cannot be vandalised. Kuguru said they will also install a system for monitoring all the company's installations. “These actions have really challenged us towards achieving our goals. We are taking one step forward and two steps behind because of the rampant thefts and vandalism of water installations,” he said.
Nairobi Water Managing Director Peter Gichuki said that vandalism had contributed to poor services and water shortage in Nairobi currently. He urged the public to be responsible so that they can achieve this goal. “Vandalism has disturbed our services and it has directly led to water shortage. I urge every individual to be responsible so that all of us can get good services,” he advised. They were speaking in Mombasa where officers of the company are holding a retreat.